Hmar Tribes Demand 24-Hour Vigil Following Arson of 4 Shops in Jiribam, Manipur Allegedly by Arambai Tenggol

The areas that need 24-hour protection are all situated at Hmar Veng, Kalinagar, Jiribam. These include Kalinagar Part 1 and 2, Hmar Veng, IB Leikai, Karong, Ranin Veng, Mission Compound, Vengnuam, Babupara ward No.

4 (bazaar), and Uchathol. The Indigenous Tribal Advisory Committee (ITAC) urges the competent authorities to immediately arrange a 24-hour vigil and patrolling by central forces in and around the localities inhabited by the indigenous tribals of Hmar, Kuki and Zomi in Jiribam to prevent further destruction and stealing of properties and items by Meitei miscreants and Arambai Tenggol.

According to the ITAC, 45 houses of the Hmar-Kuki-Zomi tribes have been burned down in Jiribam, and a church was set on fire by a Meitei mob. Mr Lallianmuang, a 40-year-old man, was allegedly kidnapped from his house in Jiribam’s Vengnuam Dibong Khunou by Arambai Tenggol members and is currently missing.

The ITAC also claims that the Arambai Tenggol is creating chaos to maintain relevance ahead of the 2027 assembly election, especially after their booth-capturing attempts in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat failed. As a result, members of the Hmar-Kuki-Zomi tribes and some Meiteis have taken shelter in neighbouring Assam.

Jiribam district, which had remained untouched by ethnic crisis for over a year, experienced an unfortunate incident when the mutilated body of a 59-year-old man from the Meitei community was found. The police have not released the autopsy report, but the Kuki tribes alleged the body had bullet wounds, while the Meiteis alleged that the man was tortured and killed by Kuki miscreants in an act of revenge.

Jiribam has a diverse ethnic composition.