Nupi Samaj recalls genesis of Meira Paibi movement
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 29 2019:
The All Manipur Women Social Reformation and Develop-ment Samaj (Nupi Samaj) observed the 39th Meira Paibi Houdokhiba Ning-shing Numit at Khabam Maning Leikai community hall today.
Nupi Samaj president Thokchom Ramani, Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) president Phanjoubam Sakhi Leima, All Manipur Tammi Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup president Soibam Momon Leima, United Committee Manipur (UCM) president Sunil Karam and Yaipha Sindam Naharol Club vice president Waikhom Modhuchandra attended the function as presidium members.
As a apart of the observation, floral tributes were paid to the portraits of the brave mothers and women who contributed to the Meira Paibi movement in Manipur and a two-minute silence was also observed in their honour.
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Speaking at the event, United Committee Manipur (UCM) president Sunil Karam said that the people of Manipur have been suffering for a long time at the hands of the security forces as a result of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
Traumatised by the brutality of the security forces, the brave mothers of Mani-pur came together, took up Meiras and launched the Meira Paibi movement to save their sons and daughters from AFSPA, and they eventually became the guardians and protectors of the innocent people.
The bravery and courage of the Manipur women cannot be found anywhere else, he remarked.
Even to this day, people suffer under the heinous acts of the security forces and those in power, he said, appealing to the Meira Paibis to come out and do the needful for the betterment of the State.
Recalling the Meira Paibi movement, Nupi Samaj president Thokchom Ra-mani explained that the Meira Paibi movement was initiated after the atrocities committed by the security forces against the innocent people of Manipur became too much to bear for the women and mothers.
Under the garb of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the army and security personnel killed many innocent civilians and many children became orphans, she mentioned, adding that it has been almost 40 years that the people of Manipur have been demanding repeal of AFSPA.
On the other hand, coming to the issue of Inner Line Permit System, Ramani said that four students lost their lives during the protests which erupted in 1980 demanding such a system for Manipur in a bid to protect the indigenous people from outsiders.
Expressing concern and uncertainty for the future of Manipur, she lamented that almost two-third of the population is rejoicing at the enforcement of ILPS in Manipur while the remaining people are not so amused by the news.
Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) president Phanjoubam Sakhi Leima also stressed on the need for the women of today's generation to recognise the significance of the Meira Paibi movement and take up the mantle for safeguarding the society, the State and its people.