Silencing the Truth: Arambai Tenggol Threatens State's NPP President; Kuki MLA Demands Prosecution of Meitei Militias

In a latest development of silencing the truth over falsehood in Manipur, the Chief of Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei militia group, has now threatened the former DGP and present NPP President, Yumnam Joykumar, with dire consequences, and demanded a clarification or an apology for his revelation of truth over the ethnic violence.

The social media post of the former Deputy Chief Minister, Yumnam Joykumar, allegedly exposing the ulterior motive of N. Biren Singh and his private militia groups of orchestrating and perpetrating the ongoing genocide against the minority Kuki community, which began on May 3, 2023, met strong reaction from the Meitei radicalized outfit.

In his Facebook handle, Korounganba Khuman said, “In the midst of your [Joykumar Yumnam’s] politically oriented conflict, do not sell the land. On May 3, it was 4 pm when AT went to Phougakchao (in Bishnupur district) to save houses engulfed in inferno burnt by armed mob from Churachandpur. Phougakchao is located 10 km from Churachandpur. We demand an apology from Joykumar for his remarks on X. He must also clarify if the account is his or if its fake” Khuman added.

Earlier, former Deputy Chief Minister, Joykumar, in a post on X said, “It’s unfortunate that Mr. N. Biren Singh dragged Late P.A. Sangma’s name into the Manipur crisis via his Twitter and Facebook posts on 31/03/2025. His statement is baffling, as NPP never backed Kukiland. The 2014 video he shared predates the issue, showing his poor grasp of the Meitei-Kuki conflict. Despite ample time, he failed to restore peace.”

“The 2014 video of P.A. Sangma is irrelevant to today’s clash. Biren’s queries to NPP President Conrad expose his weak understanding. He claims credit for ILP, but it was the Dy CM from NPP, not BJP, who pushed for it in the delegation meeting.”

“Biren Ji misjudged the Kuki-Meitei conflict’s roots. The Tribal Students’ rally against the High Court’s ST status order for Meiteis was a law-and-order issue he let spiral into communal strife. Why did his govt allow massive rallies, withdraw commandos from Churachandpur, and let groups like Arambai Tengol attack Kukis?” Joykumar said.

“His govt’s failure to protect lives and property fueled this crisis. Biren blames drugs, illegal immigration, deforestation, and power grabs, but who runs the drug trade? Refer to ex-SP Brinda Devi’s exposé. Who let Kuki immigrants from Myanmar settle in Tengnoupal to aid BJP’s Letpao Haokip and SS. Olish’s wins? Jhum cultivation, not Kukis, harms forests. If he means BJP’s deals with Kuki groups, NPP isn’t involved. Conrad’s right—focus on peace, not blame, for Manipur’s future” he added.

Meanwhile, the Kuki leaders continued a tirade of their rants against insanity of the Meitei militia group. In a post on X, a Kuki MLA from Saikot Assembly Constituency, Paolenlal Haokip, attacked the Arambai Tenggol and demanded that they must be prosecuted.

“Arambai Tenggol are the aggressor militia instrumental in the ethnic cleansing of Kuki Zo community. Classifying them as village volunteers is a fallacy. They must be prosecuted,” said Paolenlal.

Strongly reacting on the issue, Lamtinthang Haokip, a Kuki outspoken leader, said Yumnam Joykumar was threatened with dire consequences for exposing the ulterior motives of BJP Governments in causing Manipur unrest.

Chronology of Incidents leading to Ethnic Violence on May 3, 2023:

It is well-established the fact that the ongoing ethnic pogrom against the Kukis is orchestrated and pre-planned by the BJP Government of the State under the autocratic rule of N. Biren Singh, alongwith his patronage militia groups - Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun and other banned Meitei extremist outfits.

April 28, 2023: On this day, a protest was held in Churachandpur against the “ill will policy” of the former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. It led to vandalism of an open gym scheduled for inauguration by the then chief minister.The people of Churachandpur also expressed resentment over deployment of biased Police Commandos, the personnel of which were largely drawn from the Meitei community.

After intense protest, the Police Commandos were withdrawn and subsequently, the Meitei militia groups like Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun were allegedly mobilised for a covert task- to commit violence against Kukis in fringe areas of Bishnupur-Churachandpur district borders.

April 29, 2023: The All Tribal Students’ Association, Manipur (ATSUM) - comprising Manipur Nagas and Kukis - issued a press statement calling for a “Solidarity Rally” on May 3, 2023, to protest against the Manipur High Court’s order recommending the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. This move allegedly infuriated N. Biren Singh and his Arambai Tenggol cadres, leading to escalating tensions.

May 2, 2023: A day before the scheduled ATSUM Rally, members of the Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun announced a counter-blockade on all roads leading the Kuki-Zo dominated districts, thus selectively targeting the Kukis. They began blocking Kuki travelers from moving to and from the Imphal Valley. The Meitei radicals set up roadblocks at key locations: Phougakchao (on the route from Imphal to Churachandpur), Sekmai (Imphal to Kangpokpi), and Sagolmang (Imphal to Saikul). Travelers through these areas faced violent attacks—many were beaten, and their vehicles allegedly destroyed.

Despite the rally being organized by all tribal students of Manipur (Nagas and Kukis), only Kukis were targeted in those incidents.

May 3, 2023: The Solidarity Rally was peacefully conducted in all the hill areas of Manipur including the Naga-inhabited areas. However, after the rally concluded in the afternoon, members of the Arambai Tenggol stationed at Phougakchao, along with their unit in Churachandpur, allegedly traveled in a white Bolero and set fire to the Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Gate at Leisang Village, Churachandpur. The Gate, a symbolic landmark for the Kuki people, is located about 3-4 kilometers from the rally venue - Peace Ground, Tuibong. The act of arson enraged the Kukis who were returning from the protest site towards their respective homes.

A minor shuffle broke out at the Gate and the situation was controlled under the able leadership of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF). Interestingly, some media persons belonging to the Meitei community were already present at the site of Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Gate when the arson occurred.

While the rallyists were returning home in Torbung and Kangvai areas, the same Meitei radicals stationed at Phougakchao began attacking the Kukis. Phougakchao, a Meitei locality, in Bisnupur district, is just a stone’s throw away from the Kuki-Zo villages of Kangvai and Torbung in Churachandpur district. Shockingly, the Bishnupur Police, who were deployed at the scene, did not intervene to stop the violent mobs. Instead, they gave free hand to the Arambai Tenggol, thus drawing the first blood of a Kuki pastor. They then started burning the Kuki homes located in the vicinity of the Meitei locality.

As the news of burning of Kuki homes and a murder of a Kuki individual spread, the Kuki mob retaliated by vandalising Meitei properties in Torbung areas. In Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, the Meitei militias began all-out attacks on Kukis. A Kuki-Zo MLA was one of the first victims in the hands of Arambai Tenggol.

The violence spread like wildfires. But, the State government did not intervene; instead, it led the situation to escalate further. Utilising state machinery, the Meitei state police helped the militia groups in perpetrating heinous crimes against the Kukis.

It seems that Yumnam Joykumar, former DGP and now NPP President, has deep knowledge about the truth of what transpired in the initial days of the violence. He knew that Biren Singh had given those militia groups a free hand to attack the Kukis. Now, after speaking the truth two years later, he is being threatened by the same radicals who have blood in their hands. However, his remark on Kuki illegal immigrants in Tengnoupal is factually incorrect.