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The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Manipur's Black T-Shirts
Violence returned to Manipur after a brief lull when security personnel picked up Asem Kanan Singh, the self-styled 'army chief' of Arambai Tenggol (AT), a radical Meitei group, from one of its strategic units in Imphal on the night of June 7. The following day, sleuths of the CBI arrested him at the Imphal Airport and brought him to Guwahati for questioning. The AT lifted its 10-day shutdown across the Imphal Valley on the fourth day after officials assuaged tempers by saying Mr. Singh, a suspended Manipur Police head constable, was not arrested for his AT connection but for involvement in several criminal cases. One of these cases related to arms smuggling in 2020 is almost as old as the AT, which derives its name from a poisoned dart-like weapon (Arambai) used by the troops of the Manipuri kings against Burmese invaders and a cavalry platoon (Tenggol). It was no coincidence that the AT's primary fight turned out to be against the Kuki-Zo people, perceived as 'illegal' settlers from Myanmar with the agenda of grabbing the Meitei domain. Founded by Manipur's titular king and the BJP's Rajya Sabha member, Leishemba Sanajaoba, the group uses the 'Salai Taret' flag, representing seven Meitei clans. It adopted a religious and nationalist rhetoric, invoking the pre-Hindu Sanamahi faith of the Meiteis and envisaging a return to the old glory of the Meitei kingdom of Kangleipak. The group is headed by Korounganba Khuman, referred to by his subordinates as pathou, meaning revered leader. The members of the group, estimated to be 60,000 now, can be identified from their black T-shirts bearing a red insignia of three horsemen charging with weapons. The AT came into discussion in 2022, around the same time the Meitei Leepun — a similar radical group founded by Pramot Singh in 2015 — began drawing attention. Both shot to prominence after the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities broke out in May 2023, but the more organised, aggressive, and armed AT soon pushed the Meitei Leepun into near-obscurity. The AT scored more on optics and alleged intimidation of those not in line with its outlook, apart from the royal patronage it received. The organisation believes its members are like the warriors who once served the Meitei kings, and one of its major oath-taking ceremonies in 2022 was held at Mr Sanajaoba's house. During the initial days of the conflict, AT members were accused of going on a rampage, organising blockades on roads leading to the hills where Kuki-Zo people living in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley fled to, looting arms from the police armouries, and indulging in arson. It was also accused of hounding and killing Kuki-Zo people. Parallel government The group allegedly received the support of former Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh and virtually ran a parallel government during much of the conflict. Kuki-Zo organisations blame the AT, apart from Biren Singh, for the conflict that claimed more than 250 lives. The AT, on the other hand, holds several Kuki-Zo insurgent groups, albeit in ceasefire mode, responsible for starting the fire. This was evident when it summoned two MPs, including Mr. Sanajaoba, and 37 MLAs to Imphal's historic Kangla Fort in January 2024, made them take an oath to preserve the integrity of Manipur and sign a six-point demand to be communicated to the Centre. The AT reportedly assaulted two BJP and a Congress legislator for refusing to sign the document. In a Facebook post before the summoning, the AT said it would consider absentee political leaders as 'enemies of the Meiteis' and would deal with them accordingly. The AT went on the back foot after the President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, days after Mr. Biren Singh quit as the Chief Minister. Soon after, the group surrendered some 300 firearms during a seven-day ultimatum set for wielders of weapons looted during the peak of the conflict. Often compared with Chhattisgarh's Salwa Judum, a government-trained anti-Maoist militia that degenerated into a vigilante movement that went on a killing spree, The AT has often underlined its nationalist outlook, unlike several Meitei extremist outfits, which insist on Manipur's sovereignty. At a traditional annual event in Imphal on April 13, Mr. Sanajaoba stressed this difference to an audience that included muscular 'men in black' belonging to the AT. He said the group was established to 'defend our land, culture, and identity' and that it was not anti-national. 'Our goal is to defend and protect Manipur and India, but we were compelled to take a role we never intended to. Some may say that Arambai Tenggol have surrendered their weapons and are living as civilians. But, at any given time, we will be ready for the call to defend our land,' he said.
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Profile: How Arambai Tenggol rose to run parallel govt in Manipur?
After months-long lull in violence, Manipur is up in flames again. Meitei-dominated districts have witnessed major protests against the arrest of the self-styled 'army chief' of Arambai Tenggol (AT), the armed ethnic group which has emerged as the new power centre in Manipur after ethnic clashes broke out two years crackdown on AT may widen further in the coming days as the Central government reins in extremist groups linked warring Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities to bring in reconciliation and peace. AT chief Korounganba Khuman – a man in his late 30s – is also named multiple criminal cases including one under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Arambai Tenggol cadre at a training camp in Manipur. advertisementArambai Tenggol's rise in Manipur has been nothing short of phenomenal. It is now virtually embedded in almost every walk of Manipur life – ranging from politics, academia, religion, civil society, and security. It was floated in 2020 but rose to prominence when ethnic clashes broke out in May 2023. In Manipur, AT is loved and hated in equal measures. While it has been accused of extortion, murder, and arms robbery, AT has received praise for widespread rescue and relief work during recent BIG CATCH Though the Manipur Police has arrested a few members of the AT in the past, Ashem Kanan Singh's arrest is the first of a senior functionary. An angry AT announced a 10-day 'total shutdown' in the valley beginning Saturday evening. A curfew is imposed in Bishnupur, while prohibitory orders restricting the assembly of five or more people have been enforced in the valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching. The Internet is also suspended in many areas. As per AT chief Korounganba Khuman, this photo was captured after Arambai Tenggol Unit 45 collaborated with the state fire service personnel to put off a fire in Thangmeiband Cheiraoching, Imphal on March 24, 2025. advertisementIn a statement, the police said Singh was arrested for 'his criminal activities, which include several acts of grave nature and involvement in unlawful activities and criminal cases registered against him'. Though the charges against him are not spelt out, Singh is named in at least two FIRs – one regarding the snatching of a Fortuner SUV from a citizen and the second related to the abduction of Imphal West additional SP Amit in February served as the head constable before deserting the Manipur Police. Interestingly, he was not suspended despite a formal complaint against him in two serious criminal cases. Police suspended him on March 3 this KHUMAN: PAST & PRESENTArambai Tenggol chief, Korounganba Khuman, is often invited as a guest at prominent community events and is frequently pictured with Manipur's titular king and BJP Rajya Sabha MP 'Maharaja' Sanajaoba Leishemba. He seems to have a long-term affiliation with the maharaja. Photos show Khuman wearing identity cards issued by the Manipur Royal Palace including one carrying 'PSO', indicating that he might have served as the Personal Security Officer (PSO) to Leishemba. His pictures with the politician date back to Facebook profile reveals he is a follower of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara. 'CHE GUEVARA. ONE OF MY GREATEST HERO. A REAL HERO,' he wrote in 2014. He is named in at least three FIRs for attacking security forces and abducting a senior police officer, and firing at his residence in capital Imphal, as per police ARAMBAI TENGGOLAT projects itself as a Meitei revivalist social organisation committed to restoring the community to its pre-democracy glory, and is deeply entrenched in the Meitei society. It has a well-structured organisation divided into separate units responsible for the group's activities in different media footage and photos analysed by India Today reveal the outfit's arms-wielding, bulletproof jacket and satellite phone-sporting members openly roam around and enforce their rules. To galvanise public support, its members organise gatherings where they make them pledge support to the AT and its principles. Boards at the AT headquarters describe duty roaster for its members and the advertisementBefore last week's arrests, the Manipur Police arrested at least 12 members of the AT for alleged murder, ransom, attacks on police personnel, and clashes between April 2024 and January this year, the official data published on X reports also say AT members have occupied houses and shops left behind by the Kukis in the valley and allocated them to others for a monthly rental and security money. AT seems to be making forays into local business. Its Facebook page suggests its involvement in the perfume and mushroom trade. A mushroom packet bearing a label that reads: The radical militant outfit emerged as the undisputed power centre when it summoned nearly 39 MLAs and MPs across party lines, including then chief minister N Biren Singh, and forced them to sign a document containing its demands in January 2024. Three MLAs, including two from BJP and the state Congress chief K Meghachandra, were assaulted for refusing to sign the document. In a Facebook post, the group's leader said it will consider the leader who won't attend as 'enermy of the Meiteis' and will deal with them accordingly. Interestingly, a police case is registered for this March 2025, the Manipur Police recovered a small quantity of heroin from one of its offices in Imphal's Khurai. In its defence, AT said the drug was seized and was meant to be destroyed on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. AT has been praised for its rescue and relief work during the recent floods in Manipur. In recent weeks, Arambai Tenggol has solidified its standing in the Meitei society for its rescue and relief work in flood-affected areas. Social media footage shows young men in AT's logo-printed black T-shirts rescuing vulnerable people to safety, distributing relief material, setting up relief camps, and even donating drinking water to affected households. One post even showed its members repairing a road in also organises health check-up camps for people, and football tournaments and marathons for its members. The organisation also holds a 'police court' at its headquarters. IN THIS STORY#Manipur
