Hundreds of women protesters in various districts across violence-hit Manipur carried out protest demonstrations on Wednesday, chanting various slogans against the Central forces, the attempt to create Separate Administration, and demanding befitting actions against SoO militants amid reports of continued attack on civilians in the state.
The women protesters condemned the Central Forces for allegedly failing to prevent looting by Kuki militants on national highways among others. They also decried the behaviour meted out towards the protesting women vendors of Ima Markets by the security forces, who intervened the democratic slogan protest instead of extending their solidarity.
Women vendors staged a protest at Khwairamband keithel and various Ima markets across the state, a release stated.
Womenfolk of Koireng area under the aegis of the Koireng Bazar Nupi Marup staged a sit-in protest at Koireng Bazar in Imphal East on Wednesday, condemning the reports of repeated arson on houses, attacks on civilians and abduction of civilians by militant groups under SoO in the peripheral areas despite the presence of Central forces.
They demanded withdrawal of the Central forces from Manipur, SoO militant groups involved in attacking of civilians and opposed the demand for separate administration by 10 MLAs.
The protesters held playcard that read, ‘Down with Separate Administration’; ‘Initiate action agaisnt those SoO groups defying ground rules’; ‘Down with Narco Terrorism’; and ‘No Political Rights to Illegal Immigrants’ among others.
Speaking to the media, KBNM Indubala Lourembam president alleged that the deployment of numerous companies of central forces is meaningless, if they have to just stand and watch the innocents being attacked by the militants.
Such attack still continues till date, she said, apprising the government to withdraw the Central forces if they can protect the innocent villagers from the militants.
“It is believed that protecting ourselves will be much far better without any involvement of central forces,” she added.
Protests demonstrations were also carried out by members of Chingamakha Apunba Nupi Meira Lup at Chingamakha Kshetri Leikai Awang Khongnang Makhong.
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