Imphal, July 08 2009: 'The ongoing Military Civic Action programme in the State has become a cause for weakening the power of the Meira Paibis in the State', said Kumu, president of Poirei Ita Meira Paibi Apunba Lup, while addressing a street corner meeting organised by Working Group of Meira Paibi Movement at Kwakeithel Bazar here today.

The street corner meeting was held as part of the poster campaign being launched by the Working Group of Meira Paibi Movement in different parts of the State.

The members of the Working Group pasted the posters during the campaign.

Slogans like 'Stop State terrorism', 'Honour Right to Life', 'Save Democracy', 'Stop oppression', 'Stop silent killing', Stop extra-judicial execution', 'Uphold the dignity of women', 'Let us carry the meira paibi movement forward' and 'Repeal Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958', are inscribed on the posters in English, Manipuri and Meitei Mayek .

Before the start of the poster campaign at Kwakeithel today, Kumu, while addressing a street corner meeting, observed that although daily incidents of killing has been on the rise, the Meira Paibi movement seems to be losing its strength.

Otherwise, the Meira Paibis would have been able to save atleast seven people from out of every 10 persons killed.

Among the various reasons, Military Civic Action programme is one cause for the weakening of the Meira Paibi movement in the State, she claimed, adding that the lure for new shed for Meira Paibis, yarn for weaving, machine for sewing and excursion trips under the Military Civic Action Programme has weaned away the courage of the Meira Paibi from their earlier commitment to save the lives of their children.

Meira Paibis should be cautious of this fact, she said.

Member of the Working Group of Meira Paibi, Apabi, called upon all the mothers to join hands and fight against indiscriminate killing of people both by the State and the non-State actors in the State.

Human rights activist Pulindro Konsam maintained that development has no meaning when the rights of the people are being violated and curtailed daily.

Better road transport, landing of more aeroplanes, construction of over bridges or travelling in new cars would have significance only when there is respect for human rights, he said.

All these so-called developmental benefits have no meaning in a place inhabiteed by widows and orphans, he said.

Lamenting the failure of the State Government to punish any of the culprits involved in killing people for the last many years, Pulindro said this is an indication that the State Government has been sponsoring all these killings.

It is not the time for the people to remain quiet against such indifferent attitude of the Government, he exhorted the gathering.