Manipur Government Signals Leniency Towards Arambai Tenggol Amid Arms Recovery Drive

The Manipur government may adopt a lenient approach towards members of the Arambai Tenggol group while continuing a tough stance against those who looted arms from police facilities after ethnic conflict erupted in May 2023. Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam indicated this on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, speaking on the sidelines of an event in Imphal.

Mr. Konthoujam said the government was trying to avoid arresting members of Arambai Tenggol, a radical group that was at the forefront of the ethnic conflict before President’s Rule was imposed in February 2025. He, however, asserted that there would be no let-up in the drive to recover illegally held arms and restore normality in Manipur.

More than 5,600 firearms, including INSAS and AK-series rifles, and 500,000 rounds of ammunition were looted from state armouries and police stations in 2023. The groups accused of looting them included Arambai Tenggol, which means “dart-wielding cavalry”.

“Discussions have been held with the Director General of Police regarding the ongoing operations linked to the group. We have appealed to individuals and armed groups still holding such weapons to surrender them voluntarily so that further arrests and enforcement actions can be avoided,” Mr. Konthoujam said.

Insisting that de-weaponisation was necessary for lasting peace, he said the primary objective of the ongoing operations is to recover looted arms and ensure free movement of people across the state. Three major communities — Meitei, Naga, and Kuki-Zo — inhabit Manipur, which has been virtually partitioned since the ethnic conflict began three years ago.

Mr. Konthoujam also appealed to people in the Imphal Valley to refrain from activities that could stoke unrest. His appeal followed protests by women across the valley demanding the release of three Arambai Tenggol members arrested by the National Investigation Agency on the night of June 19-20.

Members of Meira Paibi, an all-women civil society organisation, claimed that Arambai Tenggol undertook self-defence measures when the government was unable to provide security. On Monday, June 22, a group of women activists submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla demanding the “immediate and unconditional release” of the arrested members.

“The Arambai Tenggol is not an armed group but a socio-cultural organisation formed to preserve and protect the identity of the Meitei community,” said Thokchom Chandrasakhi Devi, one of the activists.