AT hails Shah, Bhalla; vows to hack peace initiatives
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 02 2025: Arambai Tenggol (AT) has extended their heartfelt gratitude to Union home minister Amit Shah for his unwavering commitment to fostering peace and stability in Manipur.

"His leadership has been pivotal during these challenging times, and we are grateful for the concerted efforts to ensure the well-being of the people in our beloved state," said a release issued by AT PRO Robin Mangang Khwairakpam.

Also expressing sincere thanks and appreciation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Robin emphasised that his prompt actions and assurances during the recent meeting with AT representatives has instilled renewed sense of hope among the citizens.

The decision to ensure free movement by removing all obstacles along the two national highways is a significant step towards enhancing connectivity and accessibility in Manipur, the PRO maintained.

"Moreover, we commend the swift progress in completing the fencing work along Manipur's Indo-Myanmar Border, which is crucial in safeguarding our territory and enhancing security" .

"We wholeheartedly support the Governor's strong stance against drug trafficking and his vision to make Manipur a drug-free state.

The dismantling of illegal bunkers is another vital measure that will help us reclaim peace and security for our communities," it expressed.

AT further stressed that it is fully committed to supporting all initiatives that promote normalcy in Manipur.

"We believe that through collaborative efforts, we can work towards a peaceful and developed Manipur that reflects the aspirations of all its residents" .

"Together, let us pave the way for a brighter, harmonious future for our state," it further said.

The AT had on February 27 handed over firearms, ammunition and armoured vests following the Governor's call on February 20 for depositing looted and illegally held weapons within a week.

The AT members also met the Governor before the deadline ended, and agreed to hand over weapons on the condition that the security forces take full responsibility for civilians' safety, and stop the firing from bunkers on hilltops dominated by the Kuki tribes.

The AT, comprising members of the valley-dominant Meetei community, says it is a cultural organisation that was compelled to take up arms as "village volunteers" due to ineffective law enforcement in the early days of the ethnic violence; it says lack of law enforcement led to Meetei villages in the foothills coming under attacks from Kuki militants.

The Kuki tribes, however, have alleged the AT launched attacks on their villages along the inter-district borders after the first wave of clashes in May 2023, which forced the Kuki tribes to take up arms and form village defence forces.

Many AT members including its chief Korounganba Khuman are named as accused in police cases and those being handled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) .

The AT, in a memorandum submitted to the Governor during their meeting, requested him to allow their members to resume normal lives and make a respectable living once the security forces assume full responsibility of ensuring civilians' safety, and stopping attacks from the Kuki-dominant hills that surround the valley areas.

Mention may be made that Amit Shah had on Saturday ordered all obstacles to be cleared from roads and highways across Manipur from March 8, and asked security forces to deal sternly with those who block roads and try to stop free movement of people.

It is also pertinent to add here that Kuki organisations and leaders have been insisting on a 'political solution' in the form of a separate administration and return of thousands of people living in relief camps, before discussing any other issues.

Meetei groups and leaders have, however, cited the conditions placed by the Kuki leaders as a deceitful attempt to set up a narrative for an ethnocentric homeland demand, arguing that talks can go on while at the same time people living in difficult conditions in the camps can also return home since no territory is ethnic exclusive.

The demand for an ethnocentric homeland is untenable and obsolete in Manipur, where at least 35 communities co-exist, a group of activists and academics from the state said at a side event of the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva in October 2024 .

Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his council of ministers resigned on February 9, after which the Governor placed the assembly in suspended animation, or MLAs active but without powers, following the imposition of the President's rule.

(with inputs from NDTV) .

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