BY PC Bureau
Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, the titular king of Manipur and a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP, stirred controversy with a provocative speech delivered during a football match in Imphal. In a viral video circulating widely on social media, Leishemba is seen addressing a crowd, issuing a veiled warning that the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol could resume armed activities if the situation demands it to “protect the motherland.”
, Arambai Tenggol leaders are implicated in multiple cases of abductions, arms looting, and killings,
“Arambai Tenggol are defenders of our motherland, not anti-nationals,” Leishemba declared passionately. “Some claim Arambai Tenggol has surrendered, relinquished their weapons, and returned to civilian life. But mark my words—whenever duty calls to safeguard our motherland, we will not hesitate to resume our former roles.”
0He further praised the group, stating, “It gladdens my heart to know that my sons, the Arambai Tenggol, have consistently kept their word strong with our deity.” The MP reiterated their resolve, adding, “We have stood steadfastly for our motherland, and should any enemy dare challenge us in the future, we will take up arms without hesitation.”
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The video has sparked outrage, particularly among the Kuki-Zo community, who allege it confirms Arambai Tenggol’s ties to Leishemba and the BJP. They claim the speech validates accusations that the group was created or supported by the MP and has engaged in armed violence. The Kuki-Zo have long accused Arambai Tenggol of targeting their community during Manipur’s ethnic clashes, which have claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands since May 2023.
Background an
Creator of @ArambaiTen96606 @MaharajaManipur and #ChiefTerrorist @ArambaiTen96606 leaders #KorounganbaKhuman were standing together in one festival of sports. And they told their people one things ‘We haven’t submitted where our looting guns and weapons’ from #ArambaiTenggol… pic.twitter.com/3H54Ikn715
— Mighty Warrior Kuki (@Kamginthan40473) April 14, 2025
d Context:
Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence between the Meitei community, primarily in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribes in the hill districts. Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei organization, emerged as a significant player in this conflict, often described as a vigilante group advocating for Meitei interests. The group has been linked to violent incidents, including a March 2025 clash with the United National Liberation Front-Pambei (UNLF-P) in Imphal East, where four UNLF-P cadres were injured. Security forces later raided an Arambai Tenggol office, seizing weapons, heroin, and incriminating documents, though no members were arrested at the time.
ALSO READ: Manipur: Tribal Body Protests Meitei “Trespass”, Reopens Checkpoint
Leishemba, a prominent Meitei figure and hereditary monarch, has been a polarizing presence. As a BJP MP, he has advocated for Meitei rights, including demands for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, a key trigger for the ongoing ethnic tensions. His alleged leadership of Arambai Tenggol has been a point of contention, with some X posts claiming he founded the group, though these remain unverified. Critics, particularly from the Kuki-Zo community, argue his latest remarks inflame an already volatile situation, undermining peace efforts.
The viral video has intensified scrutiny of Arambai Tenggol’s activities. In March 2025, the group issued a statement urging citizens to “respect the Constitution” and support government initiatives to resolve the Manipur crisis.
Reactions and Implications:
The Kuki-Zo community has seized on the video to demand accountability, calling for investigations into Arambai Tenggol’s alleged backing by political figures. Community leaders argue that Leishemba’s remarks glorify violence and threaten the fragile peace process. On X, sentiments reflect deep division, with some users praising Leishemba,
ALSO READ: Manipur Tense as Kuki-Zo Women Block Meitei Pilgrimage
