Manipur: Meitei and Meitei Pangal Community Leaders Seek Harmony in Troubletorn State

Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, who organised the meeting at Sana Konung, said both groups agreed to work towards peace.

Leaders from the Meitei and Meitei Pangal (Muslim) communities in Manipur came together on January 6 to discuss ways to reduce tensions after a Meitei Pangal youth was reportedly attacked by members of the Arambai Tenggol (AT). The incident caused anger and fear of further conflicts between the two communities.

Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, who organised the meeting at Sana Konung (Royal Palace), said both groups agreed to work towards peace. “The culprits must be punished according to the law,” he said. Leaders from both communities also decided to avoid hate speech, respect each other’s traditions, and ensure peaceful coexistence.

Taking to X, MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba wrote, “Resolved that both communities should continue the age-old tradition of peaceful coexistence, respecting each other’s social ethics and religious practices.”

“As a well-wisher of Manipur, I earnestly appeal to all Manipuris not to engage in any actions that go against the principles of peaceful co-existence,” the MP wrote.

A Meitei Pangal leader from Kwakta, an area that has faced violence in the past, said the attack also hurt religious sentiments. Speaking to the media on January 5, the leader gave AT a deadline of January 7 to apologise and clarify the incident. “If they fail to do so, we will work with civil society organisations and begin protests to demand justice,” the leader warned.

The leaders also agreed to involve the Cyber Crime Department to identify and act against people spreading hate or false information online. As of January 8, no further violence has been reported since the meeting.

The Meitei Pangal community in Kwakta, which lies between the Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts, has often been caught in the middle of ethnic violence between the Kuki tribes and the Meitei community since May 3,2023.

The Arambai Tenggol group has been accused of several crimes in the past, including assaulting civilians, extortion, and even attacking a senior police officer’s house last year. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is already investigating two cases involving the group’s leader, Korounganba Khuman. Police have frequently shared updates on arrests of AT members.

Also Read: Manipur: Child Protection Commission Flags Alarming Rise in Suicides at Relief Camps

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