Arambai Tenggol (AT) has appealed to the Government of India to uphold trust, justice and fairness in the ongoing peace process in Manipur, warning that actions perceived as inconsistent with earlier assurances could undermine efforts towards reconciliation and normalcy.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Robin Mangang, the organisation said many youths in Manipur were compelled to take up the responsibility of protecting their communities after the breakdown of law and order during the ethnic conflict. It stated that several young people sacrificed their education, careers and personal safety to defend their families and villages during the crisis.
The statement claimed that when the Government appealed for the surrender of arms as part of the peace process and assured protection and restoration of normalcy, members of the Meitei community, village volunteers and Arambai Tenggol responded positively by handing over arms in good faith.
Expressing concern over the recent apprehension of certain individuals from the Meitei community, the organisation alleged that those who had supported and participated in the arms surrender process were now facing legal action. It argued that such developments could weaken public confidence in the peace process and discourage future cooperation.
Arambai Tenggol also raised concerns over what it described as an imbalance in the enforcement of law, claiming that a significantly larger number of Meitei individuals had faced arrests and prosecution compared to members of the Kuki-Zo community. The organisation contended that perceptions of unequal treatment, if left unaddressed, could deepen mistrust between communities.
The statement further urged the Government to ensure that the peace process is implemented in a manner that is transparent, inclusive and fair to all sides. It maintained that youths who had returned to normal life after the conflict should be given opportunities to rebuild their futures and should not face uncertainty arising from what it termed selective or punitive actions.
