SENAPATI, Feb 26: The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights (KOHUR) has strongly condemned Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for holding a meeting with Korounganba Khuman and Robin Mangang, the leaders of the Arambai Tenggol, an armed extremist group responsible for widespread violence, ethnic persecution, and destabilization in Manipur. The group has been accused of targeting the Kuki-Zo community, looting state armories, burning churches, and forcibly coercing elected Meitei legislators into submission at Kangla Fort.
In a statement, KOHUR raised serious concerns about how a constitutional authority can justify engaging with a group that has openly terrorized the Kuki-Zo community and defied India’s rule of law. “How can a constitutional authority justify engaging with a group that has openly terrorized the Kuki-Zo community, looted state armories, burned churches, and forced elected Meitei legislators into submission at Kangla Fort?” KOHUR asked. “Arambai Tenggol has repeatedly defied India’s rule of law, yet instead of condemnation, its leaders are being politically accommodated. Is the Governor now endorsing their secessionist and violent agenda?”
KOHUR also expressed dismay over the situation following the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, which was expected to lead to the arrest and prosecution of criminal militias like Arambai Tenggol, who had long been protected by the former Chief Minister. Instead of facing legal consequences, however, the group’s leaders were engaged in discussions at Raj Bhavan, KOHUR argued. “We were hopeful that the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur would lead to the arrest of a criminal armed militia like Arambai Tenggol, which was all along protected by the former Chief Minister. However, to our utter dismay, instead of being prosecuted, its leaders are being engaged in discussions at Raj Bhavan,” the organization stated.
The human rights group also questioned the legitimacy of engaging with a group that had been subject to investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). “How can an organization against which the NIA has filed a case under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) be legitimized in such a manner? This is not just appeasement; it is a betrayal of the very principles of justice and governance,” the statement added.
The Kuki-Zo community expressed outrage at what they perceive as the political accommodation of a group responsible for the terrorizing of minorities in Manipur. KOHUR emphasized the hypocrisy of the state machinery, which continues to vilify Kuki-Zo leaders while engaging with Arambai Tenggol’s leaders. “The Kuki-Zo people are outraged by this blatant accommodation of a radical militia that has waged a campaign of terror against minorities in Manipur. What message does this send to the victims of Arambai Tenggol’s atrocities?” KOHUR demanded. “While the state machinery continues to vilify Kuki-Zo leaders, an organization with a documented history of ethnic violence is being given legitimacy at Raj Bhavan.”
KOHUR demanded an immediate explanation from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla regarding his actions and called on the Government of India to clarify whether engaging with extremists is now considered part of the official policy.
It cautioned that the Kuki-Zo community would not remain silent while those responsible for their persecution were treated as political stakeholders.
