A mass protest was held on Thursday in valley districts of Manipur with a series of demands including abrogation of Suspension of Operation with Kuki militants under the theme ‘Save India, Save Manipur’.
Civil organisations including People’s Alliance for Peace and Progressive Manipur (PAPPM), Meitei Resurgence Forum, Sekmai Apunba Village Volunteer Force, Youth for Peace and Progress, Apunba Meitei Ima Lup on Wednesday announced to demonstrate mass protest in valley districts.
The protest was conducted in various democratic forms including human chain protest, rally and sit-in-protest.
With the same demand, thousands of protestors demonstrated at various areas of valley districts of Manipur.
The protest was demonstrated under the same banner “Save India, Save Manipur”, “Remove AR from the state”, “we want peace”, “down down Kuki Narco-terrorist”, “abrogate SoO with Kuki terrorist” and “deport illegal Kuki immigrants who entered Manipur after 1961”.
Earlier on January 21, 34 members of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly had resolved that SoO with militants who indulge in killing innocent civilians and violation of ground rules should be abrogated immediately. The SoO agreement with other militant groups who also indulge in anti-state activities should not be extended beyond its expiry date of 29/02/2024, they stated.
The 34 MLAs signed the resolution on that day. Though CM Biren was not present then, it was reported that he also signed the resolution later.
Locals of Kshetrigao assembly constituency in Imphal East district also demonstrated the protest in the form of human-chain; the protest was conducted under Kshetrigao United Club.
One of the protestors told the media that since May 3, 2023, Kuki militants have been attacking the people residing in valley districts in various forms. They have been continuously attacking with guns, bombs, burning houses located at peripheral areas and killing many, the protestor added.
She said people want peace and not violence, adding that the state and central governments should take immediate steps to stop the violence.
She said there is a suspicion that Assam Rifles are taking sides with the Kuki militants in the ongoing crisis.
Drawing the attention of the state government, another protestor of Kshetrigao United Club, named as Laisharam Inaobi said intensified form of agitation in support of CSOs, local bodies and others will be initiated if the state and central governments failed to fulfil the demands.
Meanwhile, thousands of protestors in Sekmai assembly constituency were also seen demonstrating similar protests in the form of human-chain.
Protestors formed the human-chain about 5 kilometre distance starting from Pheidinga to Loitang Khunou Spinning mill.
One of the protestors, Lourembam Anita, said that the people of Manipur have been suffering due to the ongoing crisis for over nine months and that the state and central government should end the crisis.
The people of Manipur demand immediate abrogation of SoO with Kuki militants and implement NRC immediately with base year 1961, she added.
Similar protests were seen along the road side of Indo-Myanmar road, Mayai Lambi, Sagolband, Uripok and others.
