Do not push Pangal community beyond the limits of patience, says All Manipur Muslim Students Organisation

Disappointed over the delay in providing justice for Chesam Abdul Kadir, who was allegedly killed by Arambai Tenggol, the All Manipur Muslim Students Organisation (AMMSO) has stated that continued acts of harassment, torture, and killings have crossed all bounds of humanity.

AMMSO issued a release on Thursday, stating, "Do not push the Pangal community beyond the limits of patience."
Questioning the silence of so-called mainstream Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that claim to stand for unity, peace, and justice in Manipur, AMMSO asked, "Why have they gone silent in the face of such brutality? Your hypocrisy has reached its peak."

The student body also demanded an immediate answer from the Government of Manipur as to why Arambai Tenggol leader Longjam Khaba, the main accused, has not been arrested.

Such "inhumane acts," allegedly carried out by members of the Arambai Tenggol Unit 27 Quick Response Team along with the involvement of a Meira Paibi leader, are not just heinous crimes; they are acts of terrorism and grave crimes against humanity, says the student body.

"Where is your intelligence apparatus? Is his non-arrest a deliberate act? Is justice in Manipur selective?" AMMSO questioned the government.

Urging the government to deliver justice or be prepared for a mass uprising, AMMSO stated that the inaction is not just a failure of governance but an invitation to unrest.
The student body also appealed to every community to refrain from posting irresponsible content on social media that threatens the coexistence of Manipur's society.

The release stated that targeting one of the most vulnerable and marginalized individuals in society reveals the depths of lawlessness and moral decay that is currently consuming the state.

"Those claiming to fight for the 'protection' or 'reformation' of Manipur have instead become destroyers of its centuries-old social fabric. These actions serve only to sow further chaos and division," the release added.

Raising the question, "Where is the Government of Manipur?", AMMSO further stated that for the last two years, the effective governance of the state appears to have collapsed, replaced by the unchecked dominance of armed militants who now act with impunity, as though they are the legitimate guardians of the people.

AMMSO stated that the murder of Abdul Kadir raises two urgent concerns:
The Question of Disability: "What kind of society are we becoming when even the differently-abled are not spared? Where is our humanity?"
The Question of Identity: "Abdul Kadir was a Pangal (Manipuri Muslim). Has our collective humanity been blinded by communal hatred? Is that why his life was so easily discarded?"
Labeling Abdul Kadir as a "suspected thief" is not only baseless but also reflects a dangerous stereotype of Pangals being wrongfully associated with theft, AMMSO stated.

Such stigmatization is nothing short of communal profiling and character assassination. The real looters are those who steal lives, peace, and resources—those who divert development funds meant for marginalized communities like the Pangals, depriving them of proper access to education, healthcare, and political participation. These are the real "Huranba" (thieves), the release added.
The killing of Abdul Kadir is not an isolated incident, says AMMSO, recalling that in recent times, Sagolsumpham Sahir, a driver from Kshetrigao, was beaten to death in Takhel; Tampakmayum Aktar, a young boy from Kwakta, was forced to eat pork and had a nail driven into his leg; Shah Nawas from Keirang was beaten to death at Andro; a minor girl abducted in Jiribam was wrongly labeled as being associated with a Pangal, despite the actual perpetrator being from Assam; and multiple Pangal youths have been assaulted merely for alleged relationships with Meitei girls.

"Circulating old videos and photos on Facebook and WhatsApp to go viral and create confusion or tension among communities must stop. The police must also take appropriate action in this matter," says AMMSO.

AMMSO acknowledged and appreciated the CSOs, student unions, organizations, and associations that have shown solidarity and stood up to demand justice for Abdul Kadir.

Abdul Kadir, a differently-abled Meitei Pangal from Paobitak, Imphal West, was reportedly abducted on the intervening night of June 10 and June 11 and later murdered. His body was later discovered buried along the riverbank at Samurou Naorem on June 17.