The silence from Raj Bhavan is deafening as allegations swirl regarding the Governor’s dealings with Arambai Tenggol. Claims of promises to reject a separate Kuki-Zo administration, coupled with controversial security assurances, have triggered a severe trust crisis. Kuki-Zo organizations are outraged, while the lack of official response from the Governor’s office amplifies the uncertainty and fuels further division in Manipur.
BY PC Bureau
A cloud of controversy has descended upon Manipur’s Raj Bhavan following claims by the Meitei militia Arambai Tenggol that Governor A.K. Bhalla provided significant assurances in exchange for their surrender of 246 weapons. These alleged assurances, if true, raise serious questions about the government’s approach to resolving the ongoing ethnic conflict and have drawn sharp criticism from Kuki-Zo organizations.
According to Arambai Tenggol’s spokesperson, the group’s decision to surrender arms was contingent upon promises made by Governor Bhalla. Key among these claims is an assurance that the government will not concede to the Kuki-Zo community’s demand for a separate administrative entity, often referred to as a Union Territory by the community. The militia also claims that the Governor pledged to address key security concerns of the Meitei community, including ensuring central forces and police protect Meitei lives and properties in peripheral areas.
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Further fueling the controversy are allegations that the government agreed not to interfere if Arambai Tenggol takes retaliatory action against the Kuki-Zo community following any fresh attacks, provided they result in Meitei civilian casualties. The group also claims they were granted a general amnesty for all Village Volunteers, including their members, and the freedom to move in uniform.
Arambai Tenggol’s other demands include measures such as the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Foreigners Registration Mechanism (FRM), border fencing, and to revisit the 1960 Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (MLR) Act. The group further claims the government committed to eradicating poppy cultivation.
The claims have sparked outrage from Kuki-Zo organizations, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), who have dismissed the Arambai Tenggol surrender as a mere attempt to gain legitimacy. They argue that the militia is responsible for ethnic violence and question the government’s decision to engage with them while ignoring the suffering of Kuki-Zo victims.
“It is baffling how the Governor could give such an assurance to the militant outfit when the matter is being dealt with at the level of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Home Minister Amit Shah,” said a source familiar with the situation. “It will be very unlikely that a seasoned administrator like Ajay Kumar Bhalla would make such a commitment along with conceding a plethora of other demands made by the Arambai Tenggol.”
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Raj Bhavan has yet to officially confirm or deny the claims made by Arambai Tenggol, leaving the situation shrouded in ambiguity and fueling further speculation. The silence has intensified calls for transparency and accountability from the Governor’s office.
While the surrender of 246 weapons is seen as a significant development, it represents only a fraction of the nearly 6,000 arms looted from state armories since the outbreak of violence. The overall response to the Governor’s disarmament appeal has been limited, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s strategy.
The controversy comes as Governor Bhalla recently extended the deadline for the surrender of illegal arms, citing an “encouraging” response despite widespread reports of a poor turnout. The situation underscores the deep mistrust and polarization between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities and raises serious questions about the path to peace in Manipur.
