"Arambai Tenggol demands immunity for village volunteers, submits memorandum to Manipur Governor"

Members of Manipur's Arambai Tenggol, on February 25, met with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and submitted a memorandum raising key demands during an hour-long meeting at the Raj Bhavan.

Addressing the media after the meeting, PRO of Arambai Tenggol, Robin Mangang Khwairakpam, said that Governor Bhalla assured them that national highways would be reopened and normalcy restored once the arms surrender process is completed.

However, the Arambai Tenggol members put forth terms and conditions during the meeting, submitting a memorandum outlining the group's concerns and expectations.

The memorandum stated that the ethnic conflict, which erupted on May 3, 2023, has been ongoing for more than a year, resulting in the deaths and casualties of many lives and the displacement of thousands of families from the Meitei/Meetei community to date.

Demanding that the impact of the prolonged ethnic conflict must come to an end, the following points were raised suggesting that they ought to be fulfilled keeping in mind the interests of the general public.

- Border fencing
- Implementation of NRC with 1951 as base year
- Deportation of all illegal immigrant to their native places
- Abrogation of Suspension of Operation (SoO)
- Stringent action against Soo violation Militants
- Complete destruction of poppy plantation
- Withdrawal of ST status from illegal immigrants
- No arrest or legal action against village volunteers, including Arambai Tenggol by any Commission, Tribunal, Court etc.
- Amendment of MLR & LR Act 1960 for equal implementation in both hill and valley
- Reinstatement of ST status of Meitei/Meetei.

Robin stated that further details of the meeting would be disclosed at a later date, emphasising that the promise marks a significant step toward reinstating normal conditions in the state.