Biren's Private Militia Arambai Tenggol Emerges as Key Player in Inner Manipur LS Poll - Here's Why

Election fever has gripped the strife-torn Manipur since the last few weeks. Anticipation is running high as to who would be the BJP’s candidate for Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency with most political parties already announcing their candidates for the 18th Lok Sabha elections.

Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who will be contesting in Congress ticket, has already arrived at Imphal today while the Manipur People’s Party (MPP) has announced Rajkumar Somrendro @Kaiku as their official candidate and Maheshwar Thounaojam will be contesting in RPI(A) ticket.

The BJP had already extended support to the NPF candidate in the Outer Manipur seat, indicating that there would be no BJP candidate for Outer Manipur. The Outer Manipur PC is now already dusted and done. However, the delay in announcing the BJP candidate for Inner Manipur has kept political observers on the edge, with many predicting their own versions of how things would play out. Now, the big question is “who will win the public mandate on April 19 when Inner Manipur goes to the poll and who all are the big players in this festival of One thing for sure is the involvement of the Meitei radical group – Arambai Tenggol. Since its formation, the cadres of Arambai Tenggol have been branded as the private armed militia of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and RS MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanjaoba. Since the past few months, they have been maintaining stoic silence on electoral politics, but preserving their resources for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

It is an open secret known to all that these radical armed groups are groomed by N. Biren Singh to protect his political chair when dissidents grew within his government. This has been clearer and clearer with each passing day.

With the election campaigns going to get underway in the coming days, the Arambai Tenggol has started threatening the candidates who do not get the blessing of their political boss N. Biren Singh. One of the first victims of their diktat is Prof Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, INC candidate. He was threatened and intimidated by AT Chief Korounganba Khuman via his FB handle. Another political opportunist – Maheshwar Thounaojam will also be on the target list of Arambai Tenggol in the coming days as he has already treaded paths not acceptable by the radical group. The sole aim of the Arambai Tenggol is to protect the political throne of their Bosses and to ensure their choice of candidates win this Lok Sabha elections.

Maheshwar Thounaojam, often referred to as a “political opportunist” or a “career politician”, prioritizes his own electoral success over genuine concerns of the people or greater good of society. Since the conflict erupted in Manipur, he has engaged in strategic maneuvers, compromised principles, and catered to popular sentiments solely to secure votes and maintain or attain political power. He has been running from pillar to post in the National Capital, New Delhi, during this conflict in an attempt to portray himself as the ‘Messiah’ of the Meiteis. This has always been perceived as a stage drama to garner public support for the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

RK Somendro @ Kaiku, who contested the last parliamentary election, will also be fighting this time too from one of the powerful regional parties – The Manipur People’s Party. Kaiku was also an active participant during this conflict. He could be seen as one of the Meiteis’ stand-out personalities of this conflict, along with his to-be rival – Maheshwar Thounaojam. He was often seen at the frontline areas in full combat gear.

The Arambai Tenggol in a show of its clout in conflict-hit Manipur, “administered” oaths to 39 MLAs and two MPs belonging to the Meitei community at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal. Initially, this move by the radical group has been seen as an effort to protect the integrity of Manipur. However, the people now realize that they are just exercising as a show of influence and strength to the Meitei populace that they can diktat anyone within their community and anyone going against their wishes can be served severe punishment be it VIPs, bureaucrats or common people.

The Arambai Tenggol in their olive green uniform could be seen assembling at the residence of Titular King Leishemba Sanjaoba on many occasions. They are known to be patronized by their Titular King which in turn provides security and relevance to the King who gave away his hereditary authority to India. This has emboldened the radical group to carry out all their illegal activities nonchalantly.

Now, the common people have begun to realize that the formation of Arambai Tenggol is not to protect the integrity of Manipur, but rather to act as a back-up support to N. Biren and Leishemba Sanajaoba in their pursuit of bigger political goals. Their formation is rather serving the political interest of an individual than serving the collective interest of common people.

However, all their antics and drama enacted to gain the sympathy of Meiteis will be soon flushed out to the drainage as the Arambai Tenggol will soon reign supreme with the blessing of their Master

N. Biren Singh. The Arambai goons have already started abusing and intimidating candidates, thus carrying out their designed purpose. Many innocent Meiteis have been fooled by the Arambai Tenggol, masking the real intention behind its formation. It’s a matter of time that the radicals would reign supreme in the “valley of death.”