Imphal, February 28: Two prominent Manipur-based Kuki-Zo organizations—the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU)—have dismissed the recent surrender of arms by the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol as a mere symbolic gesture aimed at garnering public sympathy and legitimacy.
In a strongly worded joint statement, ITLF and COTU criticized the surrender of 246 looted weapons by Arambai Tenggol, describing it as a "strategic attempt" to improve the group's image in the eyes of the public and the administration. Highlighting the scale of the conflict, the two organizations emphasized that the surrendered arms represent only about 5% of the estimated 6,000 weapons that were reportedly looted from Imphal Valley.
"This move is a calculated effort to enhance their public image, particularly following their recent meeting with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla," the statement noted. "The timing of this gesture, immediately after their interaction with the Governor, raises significant questions about their true intentions."
Governor Bhalla had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum on February 20, calling on armed factions to voluntarily surrender weapons stolen from security forces or illegally held, promising no punitive measures during this period. On the last day of this ultimatum, Thursday, Arambai Tenggol handed over 246 firearms at the 1st Manipur Rifles Battalion.
Throughout the seven-day window, more than 300 weapons were surrendered by members of the public, predominantly from valley districts. Despite these efforts, Manipur Chief Secretary P K Singh warned that security forces would begin decisive action following the expiration of the governor’s deadline.
Earlier security operations led by Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh had managed to recover around 2,681 weapons by September, including approximately 1,200 firearms previously stolen from police armories. Both state and central security forces have retrieved dozens of additional weapons over the past six months.
The situation in Manipur remains tense as security forces brace for potential operations to recover illegally held arms and curb ongoing ethnic violence.
In a strongly worded joint statement, ITLF and COTU criticized the surrender of 246 looted weapons by Arambai Tenggol, describing it as a "strategic attempt" to improve the group's image in the eyes of the public and the administration. Highlighting the scale of the conflict, the two organizations emphasized that the surrendered arms represent only about 5% of the estimated 6,000 weapons that were reportedly looted from Imphal Valley.
"This move is a calculated effort to enhance their public image, particularly following their recent meeting with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla," the statement noted. "The timing of this gesture, immediately after their interaction with the Governor, raises significant questions about their true intentions."
Ongoing Conflict and Ethnic Tensions
ITLF and COTU further accused Arambai Tenggol of direct involvement in violence that has claimed the lives of over 230 members of the Kuki-Zo community. Both organizations reiterated their longstanding demand for the establishment of a separate administrative structure for the Kuki-Zo community, underscoring deep-seated ethnic tensions that continue to destabilize Manipur.Governor Bhalla had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum on February 20, calling on armed factions to voluntarily surrender weapons stolen from security forces or illegally held, promising no punitive measures during this period. On the last day of this ultimatum, Thursday, Arambai Tenggol handed over 246 firearms at the 1st Manipur Rifles Battalion.
Throughout the seven-day window, more than 300 weapons were surrendered by members of the public, predominantly from valley districts. Despite these efforts, Manipur Chief Secretary P K Singh warned that security forces would begin decisive action following the expiration of the governor’s deadline.
Security Situation and Government Measures
Since May 2023, ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have resulted in the deaths of over 250 people, displacing thousands across the region. Amid escalating violence and administrative instability, President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, shortly after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, elected for a tenure until 2027, currently remains under suspended animation.Earlier security operations led by Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh had managed to recover around 2,681 weapons by September, including approximately 1,200 firearms previously stolen from police armories. Both state and central security forces have retrieved dozens of additional weapons over the past six months.
The situation in Manipur remains tense as security forces brace for potential operations to recover illegally held arms and curb ongoing ethnic violence.
