Arambai Tenggol lays down 246 weapons
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 27 2025: As agreed with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on February 25, 2025, the Arambai Tenggol (AT) today laid down 246 weapons.

With a large number of weapons loaded in 3/4 pick-up cars, many AT members came to 1st Bn Manipur Rifles ground at around 3 pm today and handed over the weapons to the Government.

A number of Meira Paibi activists too took part in handing over the weapons to the Government.

As invited by the Government to witness the surrender of weapons by AT, senior members of All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA), High Court Bar Association, Taragi Cheishu chairman Khaidem Mani and members of several organisations of Khwairamband women vendors attended the event.

MHA officials and top officers of army, BSF, CRPF and Manipur Police were also present.

Arambai Tenggol lays down 246 weapons

The AT members reached 1st Bn MR ground at around 3 pm and the counting of weapons went on till around 6 pm.

As he came out of the 1st Bn MR complex after handing over the weapons, AT headquarters' Corps Military Police (CMP) Commissioner Waikhom Munindro Mangang said that they surrendered the weapons and other items in accordance with an agreement reached at a meeting between AT representatives and Governor AK Bhalla.

The AT surrendered the weapons after placing as many as seven demands before the Government.

The demands include concrete assurance from the Government not to ever yield to the Kukis' demand for Separate Administration.

The Governor and the AT representatives agreed that AT would assist Manipur Police in bringing peace and development in Manipur, Munindro said.

The two sides also agreed that Central and State security forces would provide foolproof security to Meitei people residing in foothill and peripheral areas, he said.

According to the CMP commissioner, the AT representatives and the Governor agreed that the Government would not restrain AT from retaliating to Kuki attacks if any such attacks happen after AT has surrendered weapons.

The AT representatives also asked the Governor to provide general amnesty to all village volunteers including AT members.

The Governor reportedly assured that the village volunteers would be absolved if they surrender weapons which are in their possession, according to Munindro.

The AT delegates demanded expeditious implementation of NRC as well as border fencing.

The AT would be closely monitoring whether the Governor translates his assurance to amend the MLR &LR Act 1960 into action or not, he said.

The Governor also agreed to ensure complete opium poppy cultivation from across the State.

It was on these assurances of the Governor that the AT agreed to surrender the weapons, the CMP commissioner said.

AMBA president Puyam Tomcha remarked that the surrender of weapons by AT is a positive sign toward restoring peace in Manipur.

He also underscored the need to constitute a peace committee at the initiative of the PR Government.

Just like the AT has surrendered weapons, the Government must ensure there is a corresponding move from the Kukis too, Tomcha said.

Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani said that the Meitei village volunteers/Arambai Tenggol came into being to defend Meitei people and their properties.

Arambai Tenggol was compelled to take up arms in order to safeguard Manipur and protect the Meitei community, he said.

Khaidem Mani remarked that the surrender of weapons by AT is a big step toward restoring peace and rule of law in Manipur.

The Government must acknowledge the sincerity of AT and drop all the cases registered against AT members, he said.

Khwairamband women vendors' leader Laishram Mema recalled that the Meitei village volunteers came into being for self-defence after several Meitei villages located in foothill and peripheral areas came under fierce attacks from Kukis one after another and sometimes almost simultaneously.

The village volunteers were facing the Kuki onslaught bravely after the State and Central security forces failed miserably to protect innocent citizens and their properties, she said.

Meiteis don't have any inclination towards violence.

That is why, the Meitei village volunteers responded promptly to the call of the Government and came forward readily to surrender weapons, Mema said.

Saying that the Government should not take any punitive action against village volunteers/AT members, she demanded complete disarmament of Kukis.