In Search of Public Sympathy, Biren-Sponsored Arambai Tenggol Renews Attacks on Kuki Villages; Atleast Two Meitei Militants Neutralised

Sensing imminent defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls both in the Outer and Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituencies, the narcissistic leader N. Biren Singh has instigated his private militia group, the Arambai Tenggol to carry out another wave of violence against the minority Kukis so as to consolidate the Meitei voters, on the pretext of war against Kuki militants.

Amidst hectic political campaigns in and around the 650 square miles of the Meiteis’ territory and the Opposition parties gaining momentum, the Meiteis’ Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and his political cohorts could no longer have a thing to present in the public sphere but only to attack the Kuki villages in search for Meitei public sympathy for votes. Contrary to their unverbalized belief, the world is not a fool like themselves, and everybody knows their devilish design of strategically renewing their campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Kukis at any choosen time and place.

N. Biren Singh-sponsored Arambai Tenggol on Friday carried out their renewed attack on the Kuki village of Haikot/Pelyang and other adjoining villages under Tengnoupal district after a month of uneasy calm which coincided with the enforcement of Elections Model Code of Conduct. Haikot Kuki village, located under Machi Block, is about 20-30 Kilometres away from the nearest Meitei locality of Heirok under Thoubal district. The gunfight took place in the ancestral land of the Kukis as opposed to the Meiteis’ claim of Kuki volunteers attacking the Meitei territory. No wonder, the Meitei pathological liars would spread their lies to the world until they breathe their lasts.

In the gunfight, atleast 2 aggressors of Arambai Tenggol have been neutralised by the Kuki Village Volunteers in a retaliatory strike and about 4-5 armed militants sustained injuries. One of the critically injured individuals was identified as Ningthoujam James (24), son of Rajiv from Heirok Part-II Laimayum. The injured militants have been reportedly admitted to Raj Medicity, Imphal, for further medical treatment. The assault on the Kuki villages began in the wee hours of Thursday until 9:00 am in the morning. After a gap of a few hours, the Meitei armed radicals reinforced themselves to attack again and the ensuing gunfight lasted the whole day in intervals. Sources said that atleast two Meitei dead bodies are still lying unclaimed.

The attacks on the Kukis occurred 3-4 days after the Arambai Tenggol’s Passing-Out Parade Ceremony from their alleged special jungle training. Their purported jungle training has now been put to shame by the Kuki Village Volunteers. Tense situation still prevailed in the fringe areas.

With God’s blessing, there is no reports of casualty on the part of the Kuki warriors, and they stood to the ground undeterred against the aggressive Meitei forces. Comically, one of the Kuki Village Volunteers lost his mobile phone during the ensuing gunfight. On realising the losing of his phone, he dialled his number only to be received at the other end by a Meitei individual. The Kuki Village Volunteers and the Meitei militants fought each other over the phone after which the Meitei gangs happily brought the mobile phone home as a trophy.

The Meitei armed radicals must note that any further attack on the Kukis’ ancestral land and its people would be confronted with more serious consequences. The Kukis and their volunteer force are steadfast in their commitment to defending their ancestral homeland until the last drop of blood.

Interestingly, the Meitei militants’ attack came three days before the scheduled plan of Amit Shah’s visit to Manipur for the election campaign. It is no coincidence that whenever the central leadership’s visit to the strife-torn state is in the offing or during their stay in the State, the Meitei armed radicals escalated or renewed their violent activities against the Kukis. The last visit of the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, in June 2023 coincided with the escalating violent attacks on the Kukis, which resulted in the burning down of several Kuki villages.

Earlier in another incident, the Arambai Tenggol armed militia have burnt down one of the rice-mills belonging to a Meitei at Pallen under Tengnoupal district, and blamed the Kukis of arsoning the rice-mill. As a consequence of their evil design, the security forces including the communal Police Commandos carried out an operation in the adjoining Kuki areas and detained six civilians. Several hand-made guns were also reportedly recovered during the operation.