At Kangla Fort, 37 MPs took oath on watch of Arambai Tenggol
At Kangla Fort, 37 MPs took oath on watch of Arambai Tenggol
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 Tenggol.
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.
The six-point demand:
- Implementation of National Register of Citizens in Manipur — adopt 1951 as the basis year.
- Abrogate Suspension Of Operation with Kuki-Zo underground groups.
- Myanmar refugees/Infiltrators seeking refuge in Manipur to be transferred to Mizoram Refugee Detention Center.
- To begin fencing of Indo-Myanmar border.
- Withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur, replace AR by Central Forces.
- 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.
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.
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:
- N Biren Singh
- Thongam Biswajit Singh
- Yumnam Khemchand Singh Govindas Konthoujam
- Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh
- Leishangthem Susindro Meitei
- Heikham Dingo Singh
- Thounaojam Basanta Singh
- Thokchom Satyabrata Singh
- Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei
- Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh
- Thounaojam Shyamkumar
Khongbantabam Ibomcha Singh - Khumukcham Joykisan Singh
- Kh. Raghumani Singh
- R.K. Imo Singh
- Nishikanta Sapam
- Thangjam Arunkumar
- Sorokhaibam Rajen Singh
- Sapam Kunjakeswor Singh
- Karam Shyam
- Soraisam Kebi Devi
- Khuraijam Loken Singh
- Kongkham Robindro Singh
- Irengbam Nalini Devi
- Thongam Shanti Singh
- Tongbram Robindro Singh
- S. Premachandra Singh
- Okram Ibobi Singh
- Keisham Meghachandra Singh
- Thokchom Radheshyam Singh
- Paonam Brojen Singh
- Surjakumar Okram
- Dr. Usham Deben Singh
- Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh
- Yumnam Radheshyam Singh
- Kangujam Ranjit Singh
