As calls for justice grow louder, community leaders and civil organizations demand action against vigilante violence. With a deadline looming, the Chief Minister’s silence and the police’s inaction are under intense scrutiny.
BY PC Bureau
Three days have passed since the shocking incident involving the alleged torture of a Muslim boy by members of Arambai Tenggol, yet the police have taken no action against the perpetrators. This inaction has raised serious questions about the neutrality of law enforcement, which has faced criticism in the past for its inability to act against the powerful vigilante group.
Disturbing Allegations
In a viral video that has caused widespread outrage, 18-year-old Tampakmayum Aktar from Kwakta Ward No. 2 alleged that he was tied up, assaulted, and forced to consume pork—a violation of his Islamic faith—by members of the Arambai Tenggol Heingang Unit. The incident reportedly occurred on January 4.
CM @NBirenSingh private militia Arambai Tenggol and their Supremo MP @MaharajaManipur cross another milestone again today
They ridiculed & mock a Muslim boy, he was force to eat pork meat. What a disgusting community?@asadowaisi @narendramodi @AmitShah @RahulGandhi @vijaita pic.twitter.com/MmnuiOhwmW
— The Proud Indian (@DynastyDoungel) January 5, 2025
Aktar, the son of Tampakmayum Kamal Hassan, recounted that he was summoned by the group under accusations of molesting a colleague, Jenita, a Meitei girl. He claimed the group accused the Muslim community of plotting to pollute the culture and live of the Meitei people.. Aktar also alleged that the group’s leader, Korounganba Khuman, pierced his hands with nails during the assault.
A Misunderstanding Turns Violent
The conflict reportedly arose from a misunderstanding. Aktar stated that he, Jenita, and a friend often engaged in casual conversations at work. During a call, he jokingly mentioned liking Jenita, which she misinterpreted and reported to her brothers and the Arambai Tenggol group. Summoned to their Heingang unit, Aktar claimed he denied any romantic involvement but was subjected to violence and questioned about inter-community relationships.
Jenita, however, alleged that Aktar proposed to her on the day of the incident and misbehaved when she rejected him, prompting her to file an FIR at Lamphel police station.
Leader’s Denial
Korounganba Khuman, the leader of Arambai Tenggol, denied the allegations in a statement on social media. He claimed that the boy was handed over to the police for his own safety and that the accusations of forced pork consumption were fabricated. Khuman urged the public to avoid creating unnecessary tension and announced a meeting between the titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba and Muslim civil organizations to address the issue.
After the meeting,, Leishemba Sanajaoba, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP., issued a statement claiming that both groups had agreed on the importance of punishing those responsible for the assault according to the law.
“If the Arambai Tenggol group fails to apologize and offer a clarification by January 7, we will join forces with all civil society organizations (CSOs) and launch a large-scale protest, demanding justice,” the Meitei Pangal leader said.
The Meitei Pangal community in Kwakta, an area situated between Churachandpur and Bishnupur, has long found itself at the center of ethnic clashes between the Kuki tribes and the Meitei community.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from various organizations, including the All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organization (AMMSO) and several Muslim civil and youth groups. They have demanded accountability from the Arambai Tenggol and its leader, giving them a deadline of January 7, 2025, to respond.
The AMMSO raised several critical questions regarding the incident, questioning who authorized the Arambai Tenggol to operate as a law-enforcing body and why the police failed to investigate or file charges against the group. They also challenged the credibility of the inflammatory claims in the circulated video and asked whether forcing Aktar to consume pork was an attempt to erase his Islamic identity or humiliate his faith. Furthermore, they expressed concern over the Chief Minister’s silence on such a serious matter, demanding accountability and action.Warnings of Unrest
AMMSO warned that targeting Islam, spreading baseless accusations against imams, and engaging in vigilante violence would not be tolerated. The group emphasized that any allegations against Aktar should be addressed through proper legal channels, not vigilante justice.
Civil and religious bodies have called on the government to take decisive action to prevent further polarization and ensure the rule of law. They have also warned that failure to address these demands could lead to widespread unrest.
The silence of the Chief Minister and the lack of police action have only intensified the criticism, with many questioning the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and protecting minority rights. As the January 7 deadline approaches, the pressure on authorities to act swiftly and impartially continues to grow.
