Frankenstein Monsters of Imphal Still Walk Free; NIA Toothless against Majority Community

In the wake of the ongoing State-orchestrated ethnic cleansing pogrom, selective enforcement of law is also being applied in partisan manners, possibly along ethnic lines.

The Governments of the days, both at the Centre and State under the BJP regime, are seen acting in favour of the majoritarian views over the persecuted Kuki-Zo people’s genuine cause, thus applying more leniency of laws towards the majority Meitei community. As is evident in the public domain, criminal cases involving Meitei extremists are overlooked while swift actions are taken against the Kuki-Zo individuals.

A credible instance is the NIA cases of Korounganba Khuman, Chief of Arambai Tenggol. The criminal cases were filed in February this year but still kept in abeyance for months without taking any action. Despite grave charges against him, he continues to evade arrest and still walks free. Even if often seen brandishing looted weapons openly in the streets of Imphal, NIA still fails to find him. His continued evasion from arrest proves that he is deliberately protected by the higher authority, as is evidenced from the ‘Manipur Tapes’ - the self-incriminating audiotapes of N. Biren Singh.

Is NIA spineless in the absence of the Supreme Court’s intervention? Hypocritically, India’s investigating agencies have become toothless when it comes to criminal cases against the Meiteis; but acted like a lion in cases related to minority Kuki-Zo people.

One cannot fathom why NIA or CBI is still beating around the bush over grave charges against the Meitei radicals despite credible evidence of their crimes fully available in the various platforms. This shows that equal laws are applied unequally, and being a minority is a curse in this largest democracy of India.

Criminal cases of AT Chief:

Reports stated that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating two cases of attacks on police and arms loot involving the chief of Arambai Tenggol (AT), a private militia group. Given the security situation, the Supreme Court of India had transferred the two cases from the special NIA court in Imphal to Guwahati, as requested by the Agency.

According to NIA, Khuman led a group of AT cadres “armed with sophisticated weapons, sticks and other deadly weapons” wearing police uniforms and camouflaged dresses came in several vehicles and assembled at the Palace Compound in Imphal East district around 5:30 pm on November 1 last year. The mob had gathered following Khuman’s post on Facebook, which when translated from Meitei, meant “please come all brave brothers, let us teach them a final lesson today”.

“When they were stopped by the Imphal East police at the palace gate, the group fired at police, overpowered the local police and proceeded through Sanjenthong bridge towards Imphal West side in many light vehicles,” NIA said in its FIR.

The second case against Khuman was a continuation of incidents related to the first one on November 1. As per FIR, the AT chief and his supporters went to the northwestern gate of the 1st Manipur Rifles and ransacked government offices and belongings including vehicles and looted the arms and ammunition from the 1st Manipur Rifles battalion. After the arrival of reinforcement of security forces including civil police, Assam Rifles and CRPF, the assailants escaped with arms and ammunition looted from security personnel.

The FIR charged Khuman and his associates with armed rioting, obstructing public servants, snatching, robbery, criminal conspiracy, terrorist act, looting of firearms from police/security force and unauthorised use of police/defence uniform.

AT involvement in Genocide:

Formed in 2020 as a socio-cultural outfit by cadres of Meitei militant groups under the patronage of CM N. Biren Singh and Leisemba Sanajaoba, Rajya Sabha MP, Arambai Tenggol has metamorphosed into a terror organisation aimed at protecting the interests of the Meitei religion of Sanamahism and their so-called historical Meitei Kingdom of Kangleipak, using violent means, if needed. This radicalised armed outfit has become a Frankenstein monster beyond the control of the people who created it.

The cadres of Arambai Tenggol are responsible for all crimes against the Kuki-Zo community; and in some instances, targeted Nagas and even Meiteis opposed to their tactics.Their direct involvement in the genocide is seen in the burning of villages, churches, and horrendous crimes against Kuki-Zo women, infants, children, elderly and hundreds of innocent civilians.

The group was also in the spotlight this year when it summoned all Meitei MLAs, MPs and ministers to a meeting at the Kangla Fort in Imphal on January 24 and forced them to take an oath of allegiance which is seriously inimical to the framework of the Indian Constitution. When 3 MLAs, including two from BJP and the state Congress chief K Meghachandra refused to comply, they were assaulted by AT cadres.

Separate administration for peace:

In these current circumstances and beyond, there is no possibility that the Meiteis and Kukis can co-exist peacefully as before. The Meiteis are still preparing to annihilate the Kukis, and unless the two warring communities are separated under two administrative units, peace and normalcy will remain elusive forever.

As the two groups are physically, ethnically, demographically and emotionally disintegrated, the only way forward is granting Union Territory with Legislative powers for the Kuki-Zo people.