The Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum has condemned Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for meeting with Arambai Tenggol, a radical militia accused of rape, torture, and murder of Kuki-Zo women. The Forum calls the meeting a betrayal of justice and a direct insult to survivors of ethnic violence.
BY PC Bureau
The Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum (KZWF) Delhi & NCR has expressed outrage over the recent meeting between the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and Arambai Tenggol, a militia accused of horrific atrocities against Kuki-Zo tribal women. The forum described the meeting as a “betrayal of justice” and a “direct endorsement of violence” against their community.
In a strongly worded statement, the KZWF called out the Manipur government’s failure to hold perpetrators accountable, stating, “This meeting is an insult to every Kuki-Zo woman who has suffered horrific violence at their hands. It is a betrayal of justice and a clear indication that the State is willing to negotiate with perpetrators of sexual violence while ignoring the cries of the victims.”
ALSO READ: From USAID to Funding Freeze, Judges Derail Trump’ Agenda
A Meeting with Alleged Perpetrators of Ethnic Cleansing
The KZWF questioned how the Governor could justify sitting down with a group whose members have been linked to acts of terror and ethnic cleansing. “How can the highest office in Manipur sit across the table from men who are wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for terrorist activities?” the forum asked.
Arambai Tenggol, a radical Meitei militia, has been accused of orchestrating brutal attacks on Kuki-Zo tribals, including rapes, murders, and mass displacement. KZWF pointed out that the group is not a legitimate representative of any cause but rather a violent entity responsible for heinous crimes. “These are not representatives of any legitimate cause; they are criminals and extremists who have orchestrated ethnic cleansing, paraded our women naked, and inflicted unimaginable cruelty on Kuki-Zo innocent civilians,” the statement read.
ALSO READ: No Safe Haven: Myanmar Junta Bombs Monastery Wedding, Killing Innocent Souls
Unpunished Crimes and Continued Injustice
The forum recalled specific atrocities committed by the militia, citing instances of brutal murders and public humiliations. “The rape and brutal murder of Florence and Olivia, the public humiliation and sexual assault of Kuki-Zo women at B. Phainom, the torture and mutilation of countless unnamed victims whose bodies were desecrated—these are the crimes of Arambai Tenggol, the very people who now sit in the halls of power.”
𝐊𝐮𝐤𝐢 𝐙𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐡𝐢 & 𝐍𝐂𝐑
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞
𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓The KZWF condemn the Governor of Manipur’s meeting with the fascist militia Arambai Tenggol, responsible for innumerable crimes against Kuki Zo tribals. pic.twitter.com/4jG1FqIUun
— KukiZoWF (@KukiZoWF) February 25, 2025
Despite overwhelming evidence, the victims have yet to see justice. “For months, Kuki-Zo women have waited for accountability, for even a single perpetrator to be punished for the horrors committed against our people. Instead, we are forced to watch as those responsible for our suffering are welcomed and entertained.”
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Seilen Haokip Interview-Part1: Is It Fair to Silence Us?
Systemic Bias and State Complicity
The KZWF argued that the meeting signals the state’s disregard for the suffering of Kuki-Zo women. “What hope is left for justice when the state itself is willing to stand beside the monsters who have inflicted so much pain upon us?” the statement asked, condemning the administration for its failure to protect the marginalized tribal community.
The forum also highlighted how the Manipur Police, instead of safeguarding the victims, allegedly enabled the violence. It pointed to the May 1, 2024, chargesheet filed by the CBI, which detailed how two Kuki-Zo women were handed over to a Meitei mob, including suspected members of Arambai Tenggol, who then subjected them to gang rape and public humiliation. The forum questioned why the state government has failed to grant sanctions for prosecution under Section 153A (promoting enmity among groups), raising concerns about political interference.
International Reports and NIA Investigations
Multiple reports, including those from Amnesty International and independent journalists, have implicated Arambai Tenggol in large-scale violence. The KZWF noted that even non-Kuki victims have suffered at the hands of the militia. “The murder of Lucy Maren, a 55-year-old Maring woman, was attributed to Arambai Tenggol by the United Naga Council. While not a Kuki woman, this case illustrates the broader pattern of violence against tribal women by the group,” the statement read.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered two FIRs (RC-03/2024/NIA/IMP and RC-04/2024/NIA/IMP) against Arambai Tenggol, linking them to armed riots, looting, and attacks on police personnel. “These NIA cases underscore Arambai Tenggol’s transformation from a socio-cultural outfit into a radical Meitei militia accused of orchestrating violence against Kuki-Zo tribals and state security forces, with Korounganba Khuman as a central figure,” the KZWF stated.
Political Bias and Manipulation
The forum also accused the Governor of ignoring the demands of Kuki-Zo victims while prioritizing the demands of the alleged perpetrators. “Why has the Governor prioritized Arambai Tenggol’s demands—such as border fencing, NRC with 1951 as the base year, and ST status for Meiteis—over addressing the institutional injustice and violence faced by the Kuki-Zo community?”
Kuki-Zo women and their families have been displaced from their homes due to violent attacks, yet the government has made no significant moves toward reparations or justice. The forum pointed out that despite the imposition of President’s Rule in 2024 to restore order, the state continues to engage with groups accused of mass atrocities rather than taking legal action against them.
A Direct Challenge to the Governor
The Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum issued a direct challenge to the Governor, demanding accountability for his actions. “We demand to know—does the Governor of Manipur stand with the victims or with their perpetrators?” The statement further condemned his failure to remain apolitical, arguing that he has taken a stance that benefits the majority while oppressing the tribal minority.
“A government that embraces rapists and murderers while ignoring their victims is unfit to govern. Enough is enough. We demand justice. We demand accountability. We demand an end to this shameful appeasement of criminals.”
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to seeking justice and called on national and international bodies to intervene. It vowed to continue its advocacy despite government indifference. “We, the women of the Kuki-Zo community, will not be silenced. We will not accept this whitewashing of crimes.”
