On Arambai Tenggol’s watch, 37 legislators, 2 MPs take Oath in a ‘Historic Day’ at Kangla Fort

Imphal: A total of 37 legislators from the Manipur Legislative Assembly and two Member of Parliament took an Oath before the shrine Eputhou Pakhangba pledging for the integrity and unity of Manipur State. The historic event was held at Imphal’s iconic Kangla Fort, administered by the Arambai Tenggol, an armed Meitei cultural organization.

In a significant development, steered by the Arambai Tenggol, the legislators and MPs, all of whom are Meetei/Meitei, agreed to press the Centre government in Delhi to implement a six-point demand within 15 days. The meeting at Kangla Fort today also reportedly included Oath taking of allegiance to Arambai Tenngol.

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The 15-day ultimatum to the 37 legislators and 2 MPs to fulfill their demands expires on February 8, 2024.

It may be added that the six-point demand raised today was also presented to AK Mishra, Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Interlocutor for talks with Kuki insurgent groups, who is leading the MHA’s three-member special team — Rajesh Kumble, Joint Director of SIB Manipur, and Mandeep Singh, Joint Director of SIB New Delhi — during a meeting in Imphal on Monday.

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The six-point demand:

1. Implementation of National Register of Citizens in Manipur — adopt 1951 as the basis year.
2. Abrogate Suspension Of Operation with Kuki-Zo underground groups.
3. Myanmar refugees/Infiltrators seeking refuge in Manipur to be transferred to Mizoram Refugee Detention Center.
4. To begin fencing of Indo-Myanmar border.
5. Withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur, replace AR by Central Forces.
6. Revoke Scheduled Tribe status of illegal Kuki-Zo immigrants.

Today’s meeting with the Arambai Tenggol reportedly deliberated on the ongoing violence and the steps to be taken by the Meitei/Meetei community.

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Chief of the Arambai Tenggol, Korounganba Khuman addressing a large gathering at Khwairamband Ima Market after the Oath taking at Kangla Fort said that Wednesday’s meeting was called to convey a crystal clear message to all the State’s ministers, legislators and Member of Parliaments that they are not above the public and that the public are not subservient to them.

Korounganba Khuman also told the large gathering that the failure of the politicians to unite themselves as representatives of the ‘people’ despite several calls from various circles necessitated the meeting. He also appreciated the legislators and MPs for turning up to attend the meeting.

It may be noted that while chief minister N Biren Singh appended his signature, he did not physically attend the Oath taking along with two other women legislators.

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Unconfirmed video on the internet also suggested that three MLAs [name withheld] were beaten up. Ukhrul Times could not ascertain the cause behind the incident. However, sources privy to Wednesdays Oath taking alleged that the three legislators initially refused to toe the line.

The names of all the 37 MLAs and the two MPs who appended their signature are given below:

1. N Biren Singh
2. Thongam Biswajit Singh
3. Yumnam Khemchand Singh
4. Govindas Konthoujam
5. Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh
6. Leishangthem Susindro Meitei
7. Heikham Dingo Singh
8. Thounaojam Basanta Singh
9. Thokchom Satyabrata Singh
10. Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei
11. Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh
12. Thounaojam Shyamkumar
13. Khongbantabam Ibomcha Singh
14. Khumukcham Joykisan Singh
15. Kh. Raghumani Singh
16. R.K. Imo Singh
17. Nishikanta Sapam
18. Thangjam Arunkumar
19. Sorokhaibam Rajen Singh
20. Sapam Kunjakeswor Singh
21. Karam Shyam
22. Soraisam Kebi Devi
23. Khuraijam Loken Singh
24. Kongkham Robindro Singh
25. Irengbam Nalini Devi
26. Thongam Shanti Singh
27. Tongbram Robindro Singh
28. S. Premachandra Singh
29. Okram Ibobi Singh
30. Keisham Meghachandra Singh
31. Thokchom Radheshyam Singh
32. Paonam Brojen Singh
33. Surjakumar Okram
34. Dr. Usham Deben Singh
35. Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh
36. Yumnam Radheshyam Singh
37. Kangujam Ranjit Singh

Member of Parliament

1. Dr. RK Ranjan Singh – Minister of State for External Affairs and Education
2. Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba

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