Kangla Fort Meeting Unveiled: From Physical Assault to Insults and Coercion on Manipur MLAs, MPs

More than three MLAs, including two from the ruling BJP were “beaten up”, “abused” and “compelled” to take oath by the radical armed Meitei group, Arambai Tenggol, at the meeting convened by the radical group at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal on Wednesday.

The legislators pledged to fulfill demands made by the group, which included updating the base year of the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur to 1951 and abrogating the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki insurgents, within 15 days.

However, revelations from a police officer on duty at Kangla shed light on severe humiliation, insults, and torture inflicted upon the legislators during the meeting. The officer disclosed instances of abuse, including verbal threats, physical assault, and even pointing of gun at one of the MLAs.

In a candid account, the officer expressed disappointment over the lack of constructive dialogue among the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and criticized the pre-planned restrictions imposed during the meeting, preventing discussions and suggestions. The officer highlighted the targeted beating of members who voiced dissent, revealing the atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

The policeman said: “I was also inside. They told us that security forces cannot enter. They verbally abused us (mentioning private parts) saying what do you think of yourself? Don’t you know we are ready to sacrifice our life? They said we will shoot all of you in a burst! Uripok MLA was also kicked and boxed, and they even pointed a gun at him. Wangjing MLA was also slapped from the back. It was all pre-planned. AT said no security force can enter and they warned the DIG/SP saying we will finish all of you, and none dared to utter a word. They had even destroyed the metal detector at the gate in advance.

To speak frankly, if all the honourable members sat together for 2-3 hours and discussed and worked together for our land and community, it would have been good. But that did not happen. Those of us who entered also, they warned us that no one should come down from the vehicle and no one could cross the helipad.

Frankly speaking, they brought the list of five members who had voiced their dissent against the Hon’ble CM, and they were beaten and then warned. Wangjing Tentha MLA had earlier spoken good about Christians and since he also worked against the CM, they beat him up. Or else, at the venue, he didn’t say anything. MLA Radhesyam, MLA Rajen, they were all warned. In today’s meeting, when MLA Sushindro openly said let’s raise funds for AT, Wangkhem AC MLA smilingly said you all are in the ruling government, if you deduct some amounts from some of the schemes allocated to you, you can collect almost a Crore. In yesterday’s meeting, after Wangkhem AC MLA signed, he saw that they were taking videos, and requested them to not record saying, as long as MLAs are willingly giving signature, isn’t it better not to take video or else people will say they were forcefully made to sign. To this, AT Chief Korounganba and followers slapped him and hit him with their fists. They would have beaten him more had the two women MLAs present at the scene not intervened, the two women legislators were warned to mind their businesses or they could be killed.

Frankly speaking, right in front of King Leishemba Sanajaoba; who thinks himself as a member of AT and whom AT members think as their god, a Party President and AC MLA was badly beaten. He felt bad and for about three-four times he held Korounganba’s hand with folded hands, he begged him to stop. Is this how we behave? Is this our culture and tradition? We couldn’t say anything to them. Still then, at a time when we are talking about standing together within our Meitei community, it can be said that this meeting has sown a seed of division amongst us. The Hon’ble CM didn’t come; no concrete action against 10 Kuki MLAs was discussed; MLAs were not given time for discussion or suggestion. In fact, whoever spoke was either shouted at or beaten. This is not a good thing, until yesterday, I didn’t utter a word. Only after the video got viral, I want to tell the truth to the people.”

“We are too scared to say anything since dissent would mean the group would attack the residences of MLAs and burn them down,” said an MLA who was part of the meeting. “MLAs who disagreed with them and refused to take the oath were beaten up; there were heated arguments, but ultimately, they had to give in to their demand,” the MLA said. “The meeting was a politically motivated programme.”

Among the legislators who attended the meeting were Inner Manipur MP Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Rajya Sabha member and the titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba, all from the majority Meitei community. Congress leaders, including former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and state Congress chief Keisham Meghachandra Singh, were also present. The only Meitei legislator not in the meeting was Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.