| Headquarters | Imphal, Manipur |
|---|---|
Chief | Pramot Singh |
The Meitei Leepun, an organization from the Meitei community, has been blamed for participating in assaults on Kuki settlements during the ongoing conflicts between the Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur.[1]
Role of Meitei Leepun in 2023 Manipur ethnic violence[edit | edit source]
Pramot Singh, the leader of Meitei Leepun, who refers to himself as a "Decent looking criminal," significantly contributed to fueling animosity through his hate speech [2] in the months leading up to the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023 Manipur violence. The direct involvement of Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tenngol in their black outfits and red epaulettes has many eyewitness accounts where they were seen leading the mobs and were often accompanied by state forces.[3]
Meitei Leepun along with Arambai Tenggol, has played a significant role in the 2023 Manipur violence, according to the Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das. He accused these organizations of spreading fear and terror in the region, allegedly supported by the Chief Minister and BJP leader N Biren Singh. The congress leader claimed that the unrest was systematically engineered by the BJP, citing instances of violence instigated by the former BJP youth president Barish Sharma at protest sites. Additionally, he compared Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tenggol to special forces like the RSS and Bajrang Dal, accusing them of engaging in violent activities such as looting armories, burning churches and creating havoc in the region.[4]
In an interview given to The Wire on June 6, 2023, Pramot Singh, admitted that Meitei Leepun is involved in providing firearm training to individuals with gun licenses. He explicitly states that Meitei Leepun does not have official connections to the RSS or any other Hindutva groups. However, Singh openly acknowledge being a member of the ABVP and its significantly influence on him. Despite facing widespread allegations of having ties with Arambai Tenggol, another Meitei organization accused of engaging in violence by the Kukis, Pramot Singh emphasizes that Meitei Leepun has no affiliation with the Arambai Tenggol.[5]
On July 5, 2023, during an interview with Newsclick, Kim Gangte, a former Member of Parliament, accuses the BJP of being responsible for the 2023 Manipur violence. She also stated that there are allegations of links between Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun (Meitei militant groups), and the RSS according to certain people.[6]
The Archbishop of Imphal, Dominic Lumon in an interview to The Wire on August 1, 2023 clarified that there is an "undercurrent of religious intolerance" behind the ethnic Kuki - Zomi - Mizo - Hmar (collectively known as Zo people) clashes in the region. In response to the controversy surrounding the destruction of churches and attacks on Christian communities in Manipur, the Archbishop ruled out the involvement of Kuki - Zomi - Mizo - Hmar in the destruction of the 249 Meitei churches in Imphal and the surrounding valley within the first 36 hours from May 3rd to May 5th as they (Zo people) were fleeing for their lives during that time. Instead, he points to "other elements" as potential perpetrators. When specifically asked if he suspects the involvement of Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun, two Meitei-based organizations, he acknowledged that they could be responsible but also mentions the lack of direct evidence to support this claim.[7]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "'It is a global war': Meitei leader Pramot Singh on Manipur violence". frontline.thehindu.com. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
- ↑ Karmakar, Rahul (2023-07-23). "Pramot Singh : Cultural nationalist". The Hindu. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
- ↑ Saikia, Arunabh (2023-06-06). "Armed gangs and a partisan state: How Manipur slipped into civil war". scroll.in. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
- ↑ Lahiri, Ishadrita (2023-05-11). "Organisations on lines of RSS, Bajrang Dal have been formed in Manipur,' says Congress". theprint.in. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ↑ Thapar, Karan (2023-06-06). "Meitei Pride Group's Threat: 'Kukis Mainly Illegal, Modi Must Intervene or There'll Be Civil War'". thewire.in. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- ↑ Singh, Pragya (2023-07-05). "People say Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun are RSS creations: Kim Gangte". newsclick.in. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
- ↑ Thapar, Karan (2023-08-01). "249 Meitei Churches in Valley Burnt Not By Kukis But May Be By Tenggol, Leepun: Archbishop of Imphal". thewire.in. Retrieved 2023-08-08.