A day before the deadline, Arambai Tenggol (AT) submitted a memorandum to the Governor demanding: eradication of poppy cultivation; Border fencing; National Register of Citizens (NRC) with 1951 as the base year; Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Meiteis and Legal immunity for village volunteers from prosecution.
TFM Report
In a critical week marked by heightened law enforcement and government led mobilization, Manipur witnessed a flurry of activity following Governor AK Bhalla’s seven-day ultimatum for the surrender of looted and illegal weapons. The deadline, which expired on Thursday, has underscored both progress and persistent tensions in the strife-torn state, as authorities grapple with insurgency, drug trafficking, and ethnic discord.
Voluntary Surrender of Arms: A Mixed Response
Governor Bhalla’s appeal yielded 307 weapons surrendered on the final day alone, with 246 deposited at the 1st Manipur Rifle Campus and 61 across hill and valley districts. Notably, the hills—predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zo communities—saw fewer surrenders compared to those from valley, highlighting lingering distrust in regions historically marred by ethnic clashes. The Governor’s office hailed the arms surrender as “a cornerstone for restoring ethnic harmony and rule of law.”
Beyond arms recovery, police intensified operations against organized crime. Three Toyota Fortuners, a Mahindra Thar, and a Tata Safari—vehicles linked to extortion and crimes against women—were seized in a special drive. “This is only the beginning,” asserted a senior police official, vowing to dismantle networks exploiting stolen assets.
In parallel and during the stipulated period of seven days, security forces arrested: Moirangthem Thoiba (believed to be a deserter of the banned People’s Liberation Army) and Saikhom Lemburs Singh of the KCP (City Meitei) for circulating a viral video threatening police commandos and procuring illegal arms.
Two 18-year-old cadres of the UKLF in Kangpokpi for extorting shopkeepers and transport operators.
Drug Trafficking and Illicit Poppy Cultivation
Authorities struck at the roots of narcotics networks, destroying four acres of illicit poppy crops in Kangpokpi District and razing four farm huts. An FIR has been registered to trace cultivation financiers. Separately, a 27-year-old man was apprehended at Imphal’s General Post Office while mailing 2.92 kg of suspected marijuana/ganja, signalling Manipur’s role as a transit hub for drug trafficking.
Civil Society Demands and Protests
The All Manipur Bar Association staged a sit-in protest, urging an extension of the surrender deadline and demanding that Kuki-Zo groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement—a pact with insurgent groups—return to designated camps. Lawyers further called for immunity for village volunteers until “broader peace terms” are negotiated, reflecting friction between legal accountability and grassroots peacekeeping efforts. Similar demands were also made by women’s groups across the valley.
Arambai Tenggol’s Political Gambit
A day before the deadline, the Arambai Tenggol (AT) met Governor Bhalla, presenting a memorandum demanding:
- Eradication of poppy cultivation state-wide.
- Border fencing (referencing Manipur’s porous boundary with Myanmar).
- National Register of Citizens (NRC) with 1951 as the base year—a contentious proposal aimed at identifying “non-citizens.”
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Meiteis, a long-standing demand opposed by existing ST communities.
- Legal immunity for village volunteers, including Arambai Tenggol members, from prosecution.
Despite the demands, some observers from the hills and particularly the Kuki-Zo leaders feel that these demands aligns with majoritarian politics and risk exacerbating ethnic fault lines. While the seven-day ultimatum showcased sporadic cooperation, Manipur’s path to peace remains fraught. Security experts warn that without addressing root causes—such as drug-funded insurgencies, land disputes, and ethnic representation—the cycle of violence will persist. Governor Bhalla’s office has yet to respond to Arambai Tenggol’s demands, leaving stakeholders in anxious anticipation.
As Manipur navigates this fragile juncture, the interplay of law enforcement rigor, civil society advocacy, and political brinkmanship will shape its future. For now, the state’s citizens cling to hope that dialogue, not discord, will prevail.