The incident of 20 November 2025 between Inspector General of Police Themthing Ngashangva and Rajya Sabha MP and titular Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba has understandably stirred emotions in Manipur. Yet, before the episode is magnified beyond proportion, a word of calm and perspective is needed.

The Tangkhul community to which IGP Themthing belongs has, for generations, shown deep respect and loyalty towards the institution of the Maharaja and the Ningthouja dynasty. Many Tangkhul villages still send ceremonial gifts to Sana Konung during Lai Haraoba, Cheiraoba and Mera Hou Chongba, and the Maharaja enjoys warm patronage across the hills.

What happened that afternoon appears, from all available accounts, to have been a genuine misunderstanding during a tense law-and-order situation involv

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