The Arambai Tenggol (AT), a prominent Meitei group in Manipur, publicly thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, March 2, 2025, for his “unwavering commitment” to restoring peace in the strife-torn state. In a statement, AT praised Shah’s leadership following a high-level security review meeting in New Delhi on March 1, the first since President’s Rule was imposed on February 9 after Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s resignation.

“We are grateful for his efforts to ensure the well-being of our beloved state during these challenging times,” AT said, applauding Shah’s push to reopen two National Highways—NH-2 and NH-37—for free movement, a move they hailed as “a significant step toward connectivity.” The group, which claims to protect Meitei villages as “volunteers” amid ethnic clashes with the Kuki community since May 2023, also thanked Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for supporting peace initiatives.

AT’s gratitude follows Shah’s concessions to Meitei demands, including intensified border security and anti-drug operations, key issues in the valley-dominant community’s grievances. The group recently surrendered over 600 weapons, aligning with Shah’s call for disarmament to stabilize the region, where more than 4,000 arms were looted since violence erupted, claiming over 80 lives. Kuki groups, however, accuse AT of attacking their villages, a charge the Meitei outfit denies.

The statement contrasts with Kuki demands for a separate administration, which Shah has resisted, per assurances to the Meitei-led Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI). As Shah navigates Manipur’s ethnic divide—35 communities fractured by land and representation disputes—AT’s endorsement signals Meitei approval of his valley-focused strategy, though peace remains elusive with displaced residents still in camps