37 MLAs, 2 MPs attend Meitei meet in Imphal

Guwahati: Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei grouping, held a meeting in Kangla attended by 37 Valley-based MLAs and two MPs, where a proposal was signed to protect the state. The meeting, convened by the radical group in response to the prolonged violence in Manipur over the past nine months, saw the presence of thousands of youth donned in distinctive combat uniforms, women's groups, students and citizens chanting slogans for Manipur's unity and against disintegration.

The meeting, held amid a huge deployment of state and central paramilitary forces, was not attended by Chief Minister N Biren Singh although he had signed the proposal. Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Inner Manipur Lok Sabha MP Rajkumar Ranjan Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba attended the meet.

Chief of the group Koroungamba Khuman said, "We cannot claim victory or success today. The ten Kuki lawmakers stand united, but regrettably, our Meitei lawmakers are not. Many valley lawmakers have yet to address the issues since the war erupted in May. Today, in Kangla, we called upon them to unite."


Korounganba said, "Yesterday, we presented six pivotal points demanding urgent attention. These encompass the abrogation of the Suspension of Operation with Kuki militants, the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the removal of Assam Rifles from Manipur, border fencing, and the revocation of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status from illegal Kuki immigrants, among other crucial issues. I am pleased to announce that all representatives, including Chief Minister N Biren Singh, have not only acknowledged but also consented to these points by endorsing their signatures. The next step involves forwarding this signed document to the Central Government for careful consideration soon."

A three-member team of Union Home ministry officials, which included advisor AK Mishra, joint director IB Mandeep Singh Tuli and joint director SIB Imphal Rajesh Kumble, had met Arambai Tenggol leaders on Monday and Tuesday. Regarding this meeting, he said, "They have assured us that their primary focus will be on addressing the Suspension of Operations (SoO)".