Imphal: Leaders of Manipur’s Meitei and Meitei Pangal (Muslim) communities met today to ease tensions following an attack on a Meitei Pangal youth by the Arambai Tenggol.
In a statement, Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba stated that he spoke with elders from both groups, who agreed that “the culprits should be punished as per law”.
A Meitei Pangal leader from Kwakta, 50 kilometers outside the state capital Imphal, told reporters that some AT members assaulted a Meitei Pangal youth and reportedly insulted religious feelings.
“Today is January 5.” If Arambai Tenggol does not apologise and clarify by January 7, we will collaborate with all CSOs [civil society organizations] to launch a large agitation and consider taking more steps for justice,” the Meitei Pangal leader told reporters.
The Meitei Pangal village in Kwakta, located between Churachandpur and Bishnupur, has been caught in the crossfire between the Kuki tribes and the Meitei people.
In a post on X, the Rajya Sabha MP from Manipur stated that a conference of representatives from both communities agreed on three points: maintain peaceful coexistence, punish the perpetrators, and discourage hate speech aimed at causing communal unrest.
They also asked the cybercrime department to seek for and apprehend troublemakers on social media.
“In connection with a recent development of misunderstanding and misconception between Meitei and Meitei Pangal communities, I have a fruitful session with leaders of both the communities at Sana Konung today (6th January, 2025),” Mr. Leishemba wrote in the X post.
Held a fruitful session today with the leaders of Meitei & Meitei Pangal and earnestly appeal to all not to take up any action contrary to the ethics of Peaceful co- existence in the state. pic.twitter.com/Oiz9qAbd34
— Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba. (@MaharajaManipur) January 6, 2025
“… resolved that both groups should continue to maintain their age-old peaceful coexistence, which has been going on for so many years. “We should respect each other’s social ethics and religious practices,” he stated. “As a well-wisher of Manipur I earnestly appeal to one and all Manipuris not to take up any action contrary to the ethics of peaceful co-existence in the state.”
Members of the AT refer to themselves as “village defence volunteers” in reaction to similar groups of Kuki tribes with whom the Meiteis have been in conflict since May 2023. Both sides confront accusations of crimes.
The National Investigation Agency is looking into two cases involving AT Chief Korounganba Khuman.
In March, the Manipur Police warned the AT after it stormed the home of a top police official. According to authorities, the AT had “engaged in many anti-social activities such as assaulting civilians, and snatching vehicles from the public and government officials.”
The police frequently share information on X regarding arrests of AT members for alleged extortion.
Korounganba Khuman was seen strolling with a bamboo staff in footage from the early days of ethnic violence following May 3, 2023, while smoke rose in the distance from a settlement behind a treeline. AT members claim they were forced to pick up arms shortly after May 3, 2023, as a result of claimed attacks by heavily armed Kuki militants in the foothills and a lack of efficient law enforcement.
