Latest news with #Meitei-dominated
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Woman killed in fresh Manipur violence
A Kuki woman was killed in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Thursday (June 19, 2025), a day after suspected extremists fired at and injured a Meitei farmer in the adjoining Bishnupur district. There were no official statements on either incident, but the Kuki Women's Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) blamed the death of Hoikholhing Haokip of Langchingmanbi village on Meitei militants. In the afternoon of June 18, a man identified as Ningthoujam Biren was injured after suspected Kuki extremists fired at farmers on the border between Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts. Eyewitnesses said Mr. Biren and two other farmers were working on a paddy field at Phubala in Bishnupur district when five rounds were fired at them from a hillock in the adjoining Churachandpur district. 'He was taken to the district hospital after a bullet struck his left forearm,' a villager said. The Phubala villagers slammed the government for failing to ensure the security of the farmers working close to the vulnerable 'buffer zone', which separates the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley from the surrounding hills where the Kuki-Zos are in the majority. After the incident, angry Bishnupur locals blocked a highway leading to Churachandpur, demanding action against armed Kuki fighters. A women's group threatened a total shutdown across the Imphal Valley from Friday (June 20, 2025) if top State government officials did not visit the affected area. In a statement, the KWOHR condemned the killing of Ms. Haokip allegedly by Meitei militants. 'Despite the presence of a government-declared buffer zone intended to prevent clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities, Meitei militants have repeatedly violated and crossed the buffer line, provoking tensions and directly endangering the lives of innocent civilians,' it said. The organisation demanded the immediate arrest and punishment of the perpetrators of the crime, strict enforcement of the buffer zone with equal accountability on both sides, deployment of neutral Central forces to ensure peace and a judicial inquiry into this incident as well as all recent buffer zone violations. This was the second incident involving farmers working on fields along the buffer zone. On June 15, a confrontation between Kuki and Meitei villagers on the border between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts sparked tension. According to the Manipur police, the Kukis objected to Meitei farmers working on a paddy field they claimed as theirs. Shooting at farmers working on fields along the buffer zone used to be frequent after the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo people broke out on May 3, 2023. Such incidents have not been reported after Manipur came under the President's Rule on February 13. The ethnic conflict left more than 250 people dead and some 60,000 others displaced.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
MHA persuades Kuki-Zo groups to relocate seven Suspension of Operations camps near Meitei-dominated areas
NEW DELHI: Officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held a meeting with insurgent Kuki-Zo groups and persuaded them to relocate and shut down seven designated camps under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement that are located near Meitei-dominated areas, sources said. They added that the MHA officials also stressed the recovery of looted weapons and the reopening of National Highways. Notably, security agencies on the ground in Manipur had earlier proposed the closure of seven out of 14 existing camps situated close to Meitei-inhabited areas in the Valley, the sources said. A source familiar with the talks said, 'The second round of talks was held earlier this week, where the two sides reached an understanding on the closure and relocation of at least seven SoO camps located close to Meitei-populated zones.' He, however, clarified that there was no discussion on the extension of the SoO agreement, as the talks primarily focused on revising the ground rules, which is seen as a more immediate priority.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Govt, Kuki-Zo groups reach understanding to relocate camps to tribal areas
The Union home ministry and Manipur's Kuki-Zo insurgent groups have reached an understanding to relocate seven camps from near Meitei-dominated areas after a second round of talks on Monday under the 2008 Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, an official said. The official said the extension of the pact was not discussed at the meeting focused on revising ground rules, which are seen as a more immediate priority. The locations of the new camps in tribal areas will be discussed at a third meeting to be scheduled. 'It has been agreed in principle that any relocated camps should be in tribal areas,' the official said. Representatives of the insurgent groups presented new proposals involving security arrangements. The ministry representatives emphasised the recovery of looted weapons and full restoration of the Imphal–Jiribam–Silchar and Dimapur–Imphal-Moreh highways, which have remained blocked since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023. 'Discussions on ground rules were held on Monday, and an agreement was reached on key changes, including closure of camps. Reopening highways was also a top priority,' said a second official. In 2008, 25 insurgent groups signed the tripartite agreement with the central and state governments. Around 2,200 of their members then resided in 14 designated camps across the hill districts of Manipur. Meiteis have opposed the pact. Former chief minister N Biren Singh, a Meitei, has blamed armed Kuki militants for involvement in the protracted conflict. Kuki leaders have accused Meitei groups, including Arambai Tenggol, of stoking the violence. On Monday, Manipur Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Michael Lamjathang Haokip wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the abrogation of the pact to restore peace in the state. The Manipur government withdrew from the tripartite SoO talks in February 2023, leaving the pact ineffective. Each member of the insurgent groups in camps set up under the SoO is entitled to a monthly ₹6,000 stipend, but payments have reportedly been suspended since violence broke out. The insurgent groups initially demanded an autonomous Kuki-Zo council within Manipur. They have since 2023 demanded a Union Territory with its a legislature BJP Rajya Sabha member Leishemba Sanajaoba questioned the rationale of the pact. 'What was the point of signing such a pact with these groups when they neither revolted against the state nor the Union governments at that time?' he asked on Facebook. He wrote that the pact was signed during the Congress rule with two Kuki-Zo umbrella insurgent groups, which originally demanded autonomy. 'Such grave missteps of the previous government led to this chaotic situation in the state.' The fresh talks on the pact come amid protracted violence between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur, which has since May 2023 and has left around 250 people dead and thousands displaced. Meiteis live largely in the plains of the Imphal valley, and the Kukis in the hills. They have since 2023 withdrawn to their respective strongholds and set up road blockades on highways to restrict each other's and the movement of essential items between their strongholds.
India Today
11-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Profile: How Arambai Tenggol rose to run parallel govt in Manipur?
After months-long lull in violence, Manipur is up in flames again. Meitei-dominated districts have witnessed major protests against the arrest of the self-styled 'army chief' of Arambai Tenggol (AT), the armed ethnic group which has emerged as the new power centre in Manipur after ethnic clashes broke out two years crackdown on AT may widen further in the coming days as the Central government reins in extremist groups linked warring Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities to bring in reconciliation and peace. AT chief Korounganba Khuman – a man in his late 30s – is also named multiple criminal cases including one under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Arambai Tenggol cadre at a training camp in Manipur. advertisementArambai Tenggol's rise in Manipur has been nothing short of phenomenal. It is now virtually embedded in almost every walk of Manipur life – ranging from politics, academia, religion, civil society, and security. It was floated in 2020 but rose to prominence when ethnic clashes broke out in May 2023. In Manipur, AT is loved and hated in equal measures. While it has been accused of extortion, murder, and arms robbery, AT has received praise for widespread rescue and relief work during recent BIG CATCH Though the Manipur Police has arrested a few members of the AT in the past, Ashem Kanan Singh's arrest is the first of a senior functionary. An angry AT announced a 10-day 'total shutdown' in the valley beginning Saturday evening. A curfew is imposed in Bishnupur, while prohibitory orders restricting the assembly of five or more people have been enforced in the valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching. The Internet is also suspended in many areas. As per AT chief Korounganba Khuman, this photo was captured after Arambai Tenggol Unit 45 collaborated with the state fire service personnel to put off a fire in Thangmeiband Cheiraoching, Imphal on March 24, 2025. advertisementIn a statement, the police said Singh was arrested for 'his criminal activities, which include several acts of grave nature and involvement in unlawful activities and criminal cases registered against him'. Though the charges against him are not spelt out, Singh is named in at least two FIRs – one regarding the snatching of a Fortuner SUV from a citizen and the second related to the abduction of Imphal West additional SP Amit in February served as the head constable before deserting the Manipur Police. Interestingly, he was not suspended despite a formal complaint against him in two serious criminal cases. Police suspended him on March 3 this KHUMAN: PAST & PRESENTArambai Tenggol chief, Korounganba Khuman, is often invited as a guest at prominent community events and is frequently pictured with Manipur's titular king and BJP Rajya Sabha MP 'Maharaja' Sanajaoba Leishemba. He seems to have a long-term affiliation with the maharaja. Photos show Khuman wearing identity cards issued by the Manipur Royal Palace including one carrying 'PSO', indicating that he might have served as the Personal Security Officer (PSO) to Leishemba. His pictures with the politician date back to Facebook profile reveals he is a follower of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara. 'CHE GUEVARA. ONE OF MY GREATEST HERO. A REAL HERO,' he wrote in 2014. He is named in at least three FIRs for attacking security forces and abducting a senior police officer, and firing at his residence in capital Imphal, as per police ARAMBAI TENGGOLAT projects itself as a Meitei revivalist social organisation committed to restoring the community to its pre-democracy glory, and is deeply entrenched in the Meitei society. It has a well-structured organisation divided into separate units responsible for the group's activities in different media footage and photos analysed by India Today reveal the outfit's arms-wielding, bulletproof jacket and satellite phone-sporting members openly roam around and enforce their rules. To galvanise public support, its members organise gatherings where they make them pledge support to the AT and its principles. Boards at the AT headquarters describe duty roaster for its members and the advertisementBefore last week's arrests, the Manipur Police arrested at least 12 members of the AT for alleged murder, ransom, attacks on police personnel, and clashes between April 2024 and January this year, the official data published on X reports also say AT members have occupied houses and shops left behind by the Kukis in the valley and allocated them to others for a monthly rental and security money. AT seems to be making forays into local business. Its Facebook page suggests its involvement in the perfume and mushroom trade. A mushroom packet bearing a label that reads: The radical militant outfit emerged as the undisputed power centre when it summoned nearly 39 MLAs and MPs across party lines, including then chief minister N Biren Singh, and forced them to sign a document containing its demands in January 2024. Three MLAs, including two from BJP and the state Congress chief K Meghachandra, were assaulted for refusing to sign the document. In a Facebook post, the group's leader said it will consider the leader who won't attend as 'enermy of the Meiteis' and will deal with them accordingly. Interestingly, a police case is registered for this March 2025, the Manipur Police recovered a small quantity of heroin from one of its offices in Imphal's Khurai. In its defence, AT said the drug was seized and was meant to be destroyed on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. AT has been praised for its rescue and relief work during the recent floods in Manipur. In recent weeks, Arambai Tenggol has solidified its standing in the Meitei society for its rescue and relief work in flood-affected areas. Social media footage shows young men in AT's logo-printed black T-shirts rescuing vulnerable people to safety, distributing relief material, setting up relief camps, and even donating drinking water to affected households. One post even showed its members repairing a road in also organises health check-up camps for people, and football tournaments and marathons for its members. The organisation also holds a 'police court' at its headquarters. IN THIS STORY#Manipur
Scroll.in
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Manipur relaxes prohibitory orders in valley districts, Arambai Tenggol calls off shutdown
The Manipur government on Tuesday lifted prohibitory orders in Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts between 5 am and 5 pm, NDTV reported. The separate orders issued by the district magistrates permitted movement of persons outside their homes in daytime provided no activity was carried out to 'disrupt the prevailing law and order' in the area. The orders continued to disallow gatherings of five or more persons and banned the carrying of sticks, stone, firearms and explosive materials in public places. A curfew was imposed on Saturday night in Bishnupur district, and orders prohibiting five or more persons from gathering were implemented in Kakching, Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West after a member of armed Meitei group Arambai Tenggol was arrested in Imphal West. Internet services had also been suspended in the five districts located in the state's Meitei-dominated valley region. Arambai Tenggol calls off shutdown The Arambai Tenggol on Tuesday withdrew the 10-day Manipur shutdown it had called to protest the arrest of its leader Asem Kanan Singh, The Hindu reported. The group decided to suspend the shutdown to 'lessen the inconvenience faced by the people across the valley', The Hindu quoted the group's Spokesperson Robin Mangang as saying. A team of the National Investigation Agency and the Manipur Police had on Saturday evening arrested Singh, said to be the 'army chief' of the Arambai Tenggol, in Imphal West. Hundreds of residents took to the streets in Imphal West's Kwakithel area to try to stop the police convoy and snatch him from custody. The police opened fire to force the mob to disperse. On Sunday, the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested him for his alleged involvement in criminal activities related to the 2023 Manipur violence, The Hindu reported. Protesters also burned tyres and blocked roads in parts of the state capital, including the Tiddim road and Uripok areas in Imphal West district, demanding that Singh be immediately released. On Tuesday, Mangang added that the group will continue with democratic forms of agitation until their leader is released unconditionally. The police on Monday said that Singh was a head constable when he was terminated from service in March for his alleged involvement in criminal activities including cross-border smuggling of arms. Manipur has been mired in ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities that have killed at least 260 persons and displaced more than 59,000 persons since May 2023. There were periodic upticks in violence in 2024.
