IMPHAL: At least three Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Manipur, including two from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have reported being “beaten up” during a meeting convened by Meitei group, Arambai Tenggol, at Kangla Fort.
The meeting was at Kangla, the historic fort located at the heart of Imphal, on January 24 at 10 am.
The assault occurred when some legislators resisted complying with the group’s demands, a legislator told anonymously to an online news portal.
“We are too scared to say anything since dissent would mean the group would attack homes of MLAs and burn them down,” he was quoted as saying.
The anonymous MLA disclosed that those who disagreed were physically assaulted, and despite heated arguments, they eventually had to give in to the demands of the group.
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Another MLA, also part of the meeting, claimed that while there was some disagreement, all participants signed the draft after agreeing to the terms. “We all signed with our consent,” the MLA asserted.
As many as 37 MLAs from Manipur, along with the state’s two Members of Parliament (MPs) — one each from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — attended the meeting, where they took an oath to “protect the integrity of the state”.
A three-member team from the Union Home Ministry, comprising advisor AK Mishra, joint director IB Mandeep Singh Tuli, and joint director SIB Imphal Rajesh Kumble, had also met with Arambai Tenggol leaders on Monday and Tuesday.
On January 24, Tengol had issued “summons” to ministers and MLAs from the valley districts, directing them to assemble at Kangla for a meeting.
Security was beefed up in response to circulating rumours about members of the group attempting to enter the venue while armed.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh was absent from the meeting.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Inner Manipur Lok Sabha MP Rajkumar Ranjan Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba were present.
