Crucial meeting between the state lawmakers and members of Arambai Tenggol in Imphal

On 24th January, the state lawmakers and Arambai Tenggol, a powerful radical Meitei organisation in Manipur had a meeting in Imphal where they took the pledge to protect the integrity and honour of the state. Security was beefed up after Valley MLAs asked to meet Arambai Tenggol in and around Kangla Fort, Imphal. This meeting was arranged after people from the village, Defence force and commandos got killed last week. The safety of Kukis should be a major concern; Kuki groups put forth this in the meeting. This came right after a day Union Home Ministry held talks with the Meitei and Kuki Communities. Inner Manipur MP Rajkumar Ranjan Singh and Rajya Sabha member Leishemba Sanajaoba attended the meeting. Congress leaders including former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and state Congress chief Keisham Meghachandra Singh were also present. After fresh violence in Manipur, 32 out of 60 MLAs unanimously adopted resolutions.

Demands include -  

• Immediate Abrogation from Suspension of Operations (SOO) Agreements with Kuki Military groups.
• Implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC)
• Transferring Myanmar refugees/Infiltrators seeking refuge in Manipur to Mizoram Refugee Detention Center
• Fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border and advocates for the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur.
• Revocation of Scheduled Tribe status for illegal Kuki-Zo immigrants.

The MLAs demanded that the SOO Militants engage in "Anti-State Activities should be abrogated immediately." The state and central forces demanded a complete disarmament of illegal arms and weapons. After the decisive meeting, ‘Arambai Tenggol’ leaders confirmed that the Chief Minister, ministers, MLAs and MPs have assured them that they would take up their demands with the Central government and to act on these demands within 15 days.

Joint Statement by 32 Manipur MLAs

" Armed attacks (using sophisticated weaponry such as rocket propelled grenade launchers) on Indian soil, Indian citizens, and State Security Forces by Myanmar-Based Armed Militants must be stopped at all costs. It will be to the detriment of the prestige of the Republic of India if this cannot be achieved in short order."

A leader of the ‘Arambai Tenggol told, "If the Centre does not resolve our demands, the ministers, legislators along with the other organizations would launch a massive movement to protect Manipur’s territorial integrity and the lives and properties of the people,” after the meeting at the Kangla Fort meeting.
The Assam Rifles were also slammed of being irresponsible, for being mute spectators during violence and attacks in the region. The time has come when Assam Rifles must take accountable steps and strict actions must be taken. MLAs argued that such agreements led to a never ending chain of violence. This came right after a day Union Home Ministry held talks with the Meitei and Kuki Communities.

During the meeting it was revealed that since the clashes broke out between Meitei community and Kuki tribes turned violent last May, Article 355 of the Constitution has been applied in Manipur, whic was criticized by the Opposition.

 "It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the Government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution,” the article states.

NRFM boycotts Republic Day, calls it as “Repressive Day”

The National Revolutionary Front of Manipur (NRFM), an insurgent group boycotts Republic Day, calls it as “Repressive Day” for the state. Information and Publicity Secretary Sanajaoba Meitei declared, “India’s celebration of January 26 has no meaning to the people of Manipur but is a day of repression for its struggling people.”

An Assam Rifles soldier shot his six colleagues and then shot himself dead

A tragic incident has been reported on Wednesday, an Assam Rifles soldier shot his six colleagues and then shot himself dead. This happened in an Assam Rifles Battalion deployed near the Myanmar border in the southern region of Manipur. It is the most remote area used to be a hotspot of insurgency.  This incident should not be associated with the ethnic and community conflicts, states the authority. The jawan succumbed to his injuries while the other jawans whom he had shot have got bullet injuries and were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital.