Crackdown on Arambai Tenggol intensifies in Manipur

After the imposition of President's Rule in February to restore peace, the security forces in the strife-torn state have gradually intensified the crackdown on Arambai Tenggol, the Meitei radical armed group accused of its involvement in the conflict with the Kukis and direct confrontation with the administration.

Sources in a central security force told DH that at least 40 members of the Arambai Tenggol including its "army chief" Asem Kanan Singh have been arrested by the CBI and other security agencies since the imposition of President's Rule.

While Kanan, a former police constable-turned rebel leader, was arrested by the CBI in June for several criminal activities, including cross border smuggling of arms, many other members of the group have been caught for ransom, abduction, killings and even attacks on police and other security officials.

"Before the President's Rule, acting against Arambai Tenggol members was difficult as it enjoyed a lot of clout. Even ministers and MLAs intervened to prevent their arrests. The Meitei women also provided a shield to them and confronted the forces while taking action against them. But now, we are gradually cracking down on members of all militant groups, including Arambai Tenggol, found involved in any criminal and unlawful acts," said the official.

"We are also acting equally tough against the armed persons belonging to the Kuki community and seizing the weapons," he said.

On Tuesday, police in Manipur said six members of the Arambai Tenggol were arrested, who were allegedly involved in the attack on police officers and personnel during a bandh in Bishnupur district on June 9. The six, aged between 18 to 28 years, hails from Meitei-dominated Imphal West and Bishnupur district.

The rise and fall:

Arambai Tenggol, which began as a socio-cultural organisation in 2020 for protection and preservation of the Meitei culture, gradually gained its clout as its members allegedly looted weapons from the security forces and used them against the Kukis during the Meitei-Kuki conflict that flared up in May 2023.

A senior security official earlier told DH that Tenggol's membership crossed 50,000 as the group started inducting the Meitei youths and provided them arms training. The group also opened "control rooms" in several parts of the Meitei-dominated Valley.

The group had gained so much clout that in January 2024, it "summoned" at least 37 Meitei MLAs and two MPs, belonging to ruling BJP and the opposition parties to the historic Kangla Fort at Imphal and forced them to sign a document promising action against the Kukis.

At least four of them, who reportedly objected to the document, were allegedly assaulted by members of the radical group. This incident drew sharp reaction with many questioning how this happened in the presence of an elected government and demanded tough action against the group for restoration of peace.

Days after imposition of the President's Rule in February, the group, however, deposited 246 weapons, including AK series rifles, before the security forces.

• March 23: Two Arambai Tenggol members arrested in Imphal East for a clash with a militant group, UNLF (P).

• April 22: Two members of AT arrested for abduction of a man from Assam's Cachar district.

• June 8: Arambai Tenggol "military chief" Asem Kanan Singh was arrested by the CBI for alleged involvement in arms smuggling.

• June 17: Six members of AT arrested for alleged involvement in the abduction and killing of a differently-abled person belonging to the Meitei Muslim community.