Addressing members of armed group Arambai Tenggol at an event in Imphal, Manipur’s lone Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, who is also the titular Meitei king, said that the group would “be ready for the call to defend our land” at any time despite having publicly handed over some of its weapons to the police.
The BJP leader was speaking at the closing ceremony on Sunday of a football tournament organised by the Arambai Tenggol in Imphal West. The outfit has been accused by Kuki-Zo groups of being at the forefront of violent attacks against their community and is being probed by the NIA in connection with multiple cases.
“Arambai Tenggol was established to defend our land, culture and identity. We are not anti-national or against anyone. Our real intention is to defend and protect Manipur and India. However, we were compelled to take a role that we never intended to. Some may say that Arambai Tenggol have surrendered their weapons and are living as civilians. But, at any given time, we will be ready for the call to defend our land,” he is purportedly heard saying in a video from the event.
The group surrendered 246 weapons in a single day in February during the amnesty period extended by the Governor for the return of looted arms. However, only 106 of these were sophisticated weapons while the rest were single- or double-barrel weapons or country-made ones.
Sanajaoba did not respond to calls and messages seeking a comment.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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