Closer look at Meira Paibis in the ongoing conflict
- Part 1 -

Takhellambam Nepolin *

Sea of protesters clashes with Army and RAF personnel at Phougakchao Mayai Leikai on August 03 2023 :: Pix - Khaba Kh

Meira Paibis is one of Manipur's largest women's groups as well as the most important and active civil society organization in the State. These women's groups are vitally important to the State's social fabric, and these women's groups are also known as the "Guardians of the Society".

Meira Paibi which means "torch bearer," refers to women who wield torches in the night time to illuminate the community. Each and every one of Meitei's women morph into Meira Paibis.

In Manipur, every Meitei locality has its own Meira Paibis group. They emerge on the streets at night and perform numerous significant roles in every area of society, including preventing violations of human rights, battling drug and alcohol abuse, and many other socially harmful behaviours. They also play a significant role in bringing about peace and harmony in the State in all spheres.

In addition to this in the First Nupi-Lan, 1904 and the Second Nupi-Lan, 1939, these women led the fight against the colonial British. The Nupi-Lan (Women's War) is a well-known name for this movement. They were very strong, bold, and engaged in many spheres, which is why we commemorate Nupi Lan's memory day on 12th December every year. These women's groups formed Nishabandh groups in each and every locality throughout Manipur in the 1970s to launch a widespread campaign against the drug and alcohol misuse.

Not only this, even the Meira Paibis of Manipur are also vehemently opposed to and against the oppressive law as well as the "Black Law," also known as the "Armed Force Special Power Act." Behind the backs of these laws, the Indian Security Forces misused their extraordinary power by murdering countless unintentional victims, torturing prisoners, harassing them sexually, and raping women.

The Meira Paibi groups opposed the black law AFSPA as well as human rights violations committed under the immunity of this Army Act and atrocities carried out by the Security Forces.

In July 2004, the Meira Paibis of Manipur organized one of the most notable movements in human history. To protest the alleged gang rape and murder of a woman named Thanjam Manorama, a 32-year-old woman, by Assam Rifles under the AFSPA, twelve Imas of Manipur stripped naked in front of Kangla Fort, one of the most sacred and historic places of the Meiteis.

The words "Indian Army Rape Us and Indian Army Take Our Flesh" were written on a banner held by the Imas of Manipur in the shocking demonstration. The entire world was stunned. The collective strength and cohesion of these women's groups in every Manipur movement will always be etched in our minds.

In the State of Manipur, any agitation or movement would be incomplete without their participation. Their area of operation is extremely broad; they are involved in every aspect of society.

These women actively participated in social, political, and economic issues at all levels of the state. They solely use non-violent methods and peace campaign mechanisms, which is why we refer to them as a moral force and the most disciplined organization. Their mode of action in every situation is quite distinctive.

These women's groups' activity and philosophy are very straightforward and distinctive; their movement or agitation simply aims to protect the region from external assault and promote peace and harmony. These women's organizations also play a very big important role in Manipur ongoing crisis in bringing peace and harmony to the state.

The ongoing conflict in Manipur between the indigenous Meitei community and the Chin-Kuki groups have been raging for the past two and half months, starting at the beginning of May, following the tribal peace solidarity march organized by ATSUM (All Tribal Students' Union Manipur).

More than 50 thousand people from both communities were forced to flee their homes as a result of the disturbance in the state. Additionally, more than 3000 homes were destroyed by fire, 100+ people were killed, and many more are still missing. Additionally, the Chin-Kuki community also simultaneously blocks the state's two lifelines, NH-2 Imphal-Dimapur (Asian Highway 102) and NH-37 Imphal-Jiribam.

This hinders the flow of necessities items like food and life-saving medications, which has a significant negative impact on the state's ability to function normally. Even at this worst point, neither the Central government nor the State administration failed to remove the barrier.

The Chin-Kuki militant group often fires at the helpless Meitei populace in every nook and cranny of Manipur's neighbouring hill territory. At this critical juncture, the Manipuri women known as "Meira Paibis" took to the streets to make a call for peace and stability in the state.

In order to bring peace and normalcy to the state of Manipur during this ongoing crisis, Meira Paibis organizations conducted a number of peaceful agitations. In addition, they called for market closures and bandhs to condemn the atrocities carried out by the Chin-Kuki terrorist group against the helpless Meitei community.

In order to draw attention to the situation in Manipur by the Central government, all of these courageous women staged a peace agitation at the Jantra Mantra, New Delhi. Following the peace protest, they also submitted a memorandum to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which they also raise no. of questioned why peace and normalcy had not been brought to the region.

They shout out several slogans during their peace agitation, including "No Separate Administration," "Abrogate Soo with Kuki Militant Outfit," "Save Indigenous Meitei Community," "Stop Narco-Terrorism Activities," "Implement NRC in Manipur," "Protect Manipur Integrity," "Deport Illegal Foreigners," "Stop Attacking and Burning Houses," and "One Manipur, One Administration."

Day by day, their appeal for peace becomes stronger. They also sent numerous memorandums to the State as well as Central governments. The Manipur government also implemented numerous measures to control the situation in the state, including the imposition of curfews, the prohibition of internet access, and the deployment of the military, but nothing has changed as of yet.

To be continued...