An 18-year-old Muslim boy, Tampakmayum Aktar, was reportedly forced by the Meitei militant group Arambai Tenggol to eat pork, which goes against his religious beliefs. The incident allegedly occurred on January 4 in Kwakta Ward No. 2, where Aktar, the son of Tampakmayum Kamal Hassan, was accused by the group’s Heingang Unit of mistreating a colleague.
The mob allegedly harassed, tied up and forced the victim to consume pork which is evidently against his religious beliefs. In a video that’s viral on social media, the victim also said that the group charged the Muslim community with the allegations of abolishing the Metei community by selling drugs and forcing them to consume the same. He accused the leader of the Arambai Tenggol, Korounganba Khuman, of piercing his hands with nails.
Narrating the possible reasons that led the way to the incident, he said that he was called upon by the group due to a misapprehension of his colleague namely Jenita, a Metei girl who works at the Kafye Café in Keishampat, Imphal.
He mentioned that Jenita and another friend often joined random conversations while they worked at the same café. However, during a phone call with another friend, he jokingly mentioned that he was in love with Jenita. This comment was reportedly misunderstood by her, leading her to call her brothers and the AT group, resulting in him being summoned. When he arrived at the group’s unit in Heingang, he was interrogated about the prohibition of relationships between Metei and Muslims, as well as the rumours of an affair with Jenita. Despite denying the affair allegations, his denials were dismissed, and he was physically assaulted.
In contrast, Jenita claimed that on the same day, Aktar had proposed to her, which she rejected. She alleged that after her denial, he behaved inappropriately towards her. She further stated that she had filed an FIR against him at the Lamphel police station. The leader of Arambai Tenggol opposed these accusations and clarified on his social media that he had not committed any of the acts, such as force-feeding pork to anyone, as Aktar had portrayed him.
“I am not an unreasonable person who would post a video of someone being forced to eat pork. Please stop creating unnecessary tension. The individual who claimed to have been molested was handed over to the police for his own safety,” Korounganba told local media.
He said that a meeting had been scheduled involving the titular king and Muslim civil organizations at the former’s residence and urged everyone to refrain from creating further chaos.
Several Muslim organizations, including Anjuman Isla-e-Musra, Kwakta Jamiat Ulma Bishnupur District, All Kwakta Coordinating Committee, All Meitei Pangal Youth Association, and All Kwakta Youth Voluntary Organisation, have requested a clarification from the Arambai Tenggol Heingang Unit and its leader, Korounganba, by January 7, 2025. Civil and religious groups have condemned the assault, calling it a violation of communal harmony and human rights. They also warned of potential further action if their demands are not addressed.
The All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organisation has strongly condemned the incident, describing it as an intentional attempt to disturb the peace and harmony between the two communities. The organization raised several questions regarding the event.
