A large-scale protest erupted on Sunday at Hao Ground, Singjamei Chingamathak, Imphal West, Manipur with demonstrators calling on the Government of India to cease extenging alleged support for Kuki militants and restore law and order in Manipur.
The protest was spearheaded by a coalition of local women groups, including the Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee for Peace (KIKJCCP), Imagi Meira, All Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), and the Women’s Wing of the Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee.
These organisations joined forces to demand swift and decisive action from both the Union and state governments.
Protestors called on the government to prioritize addressing the threat posed by Kuki armed groups and their purported foreign backers. There was also a strong demand for accountability and action against certain elements within the Paramilitary Forces and Armed Forces, with a particular focus on the Assam Rifles.
The protest highlighted the need for the restoration of law and order in Manipur and questioned the effectiveness of the Assam Rifles in maintaining peace and security.
Convenor of Imagi Meira (a women’s organisation) Th Sujata, addressed the media on the sidelines of the protest, voicing the community’s concerns regarding the Assam Rifles.
“We are voicing the concerns of mothers regarding the current situation with the Assam Rifles. Their duty, in uniform, is to protect everyone, regardless of religion. If they cannot fulfill this duty, then they should step aside,” she stated.
With the assembly session approaching, the protesters stressed the urgency for the Central authorities to make a decisive move regarding the Assam Rifles.
The community demands either a reformation of the Assam Rifles to ensure impartial and effective performance of their duties or their removal if they cannot meet these expectations. A bill addressing these issues is anticipated in the upcoming assembly session, Sujata said.
Organisers underscored the importance of addressing these concerns to ensure peace and stability in the region, emphasising that government intervention is crucial to maintaining the integrity and safety of Manipur.
