- By Abhirupa Kundu
- Wed, 24 Jan 2024 12:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Manipur's capital Imphal on Wednesday saw a massive deployment of security forces as hundreds of personnel in full battle gear were positioned near the high-security areas of the Raj Bhavan, Chief Minister Secretariat, Manipur Police headquarters, 1st Manipur Rifles complex and Kangla fort. The move comes after intelligence reports suggested that the Arambai Tenggol were planning to enter the Kangla fort with arms before a meeting scheduled to be held at the district later in the day.
The organisation has asked all ministers and MLAs of the valley districts to join the public meeting at Kangla Fort on Wednesday, an official said.
Arambai Tenggol, an organisation of around 50,000 people engaged in guarding villages in the valley areas of the state is holding the meeting to deliberate on issues facing the state, however, the details of the meet have not been specified, the official said.
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The security forces have barricaded all the entry points to the Kanga fort. The Kangla fort served as the royal seat of the Manipur kingdom till 1891.
Earlier too, Arambai Tenggol had asked all legislators to attend a meeting at Kangla Fort, an official said, reported news agency PTI.
Visuals posted on social media platforms by several Meitei-inclined groups showed the members of the outfit heading in large numbers toward the fort amid tightened security.
On #24Jan24 We the Meitei Praja support the Public Meet at #Kangla to decide the destiny of the indigenous people of Manipur.
— Nong Meitei (@NongVnong8) January 24, 2024
Together We the Meitei march peacefully to gather united as ONE People ONE VOICE.
These are the ordinary Meitei Youth civilians serving our Motherland.… pic.twitter.com/jzdTYwIDjI
On Monday, a three-member Union home ministry team met the leaders of the Arambai Tenggol at the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba.
The group has demanded the delisting of Kukis from the ST list, deportation of refugees to camps in Mizoram, border fencing, replacement of Assam Rifles with other paramilitary forces and revoking Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between Centre and Kuki militant groups, officials said.