Sit-ins demand NRC, withdrawal of Soo
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 04 2023:
A sit-in protest was held at Thangmeiband Lilasing Khongnangkhong on Sunday demanding immediate imple-mentation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, deportation of illegal immigrants, withdrawal of So0 with Kuki militants and save the people of Manipur.
The sit-in was participated by locals of Thangmeiband Yum-nam Leikai and Meisnam Leikai and Kabui community of Tharon Khul.
Speaking on the sidelines of the sit-in, one Brajeshwari Laipubam urged the govern-ment to implement NRC at the earliest to prevent the influx of illegal immigrants, in addition to taking up strict action against Kuki militants under So0 who are attacking and setting fire to homes of innocent civilians; si-multaneous search operations in hills and valley; and initiation of rehabilitation process for the displaced.
During the sit-in, the protes-tors held placards inscribed with slogans like "Manipur's territorial integrity cannot be disintegrat-ed", "Implement NRC at earliest", "Withdraw So0 immediately", "Deport illegal foreigners" and "Stop poppy cultivation".
On the other hand, LAKHSH Pioneer Committee, Naorem-thong Khulem Leikai Imphal under the aegis of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) staged a sit-in protest at Naoremthong Khulem Leikai on Sunday.
The sit-in was participat-ed by around 500 members of Naoremthong Laishram Leikai Nupi Singgi Chaokhat Thouram Lup, Nupi Singgi Apunba Yai-pha Lup Naoremthong Khulem Leikai and Shamusang Khulem Leikai Ema Ebel Chaokhat Lup, COCOMI assistant co-ordinator Joychandra Konthoujam, execu-tive members Yumichaibam Stu* Khuman and Ksh Romesh Singh and active members of Meira Paibi and LAKHSH Pioneer Committee.
During the sit-in, slogans such as "No to disintegration of Ma-nipur's territoiy', " Implement NRC in Manipur", "No to Separate Administration" and "Stop Narco Terrorism" were raised.
The Changangei Taosang Lampak Women's Development Association in association with Changangei Toasang Lampak Development Committee also staged a sit-in protest on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Social Work-ers' Congress, Khongman and Meeyamgi Yaipha Nupi Lup (Meira Paibi) Khongman Zone 4 & 5 staged a sit-in protest at the Community Hall Zone 4 & 5 on Sunday and adopted various resolutions.
The resolutions include de-nouncing the slander and dissolu-tion of Arambai Tenggol, which is a cultural group, while extending support to the same; denouncing the bias reports of India Today North East Bureau deputy ed-itor Afrida Hussain and that of an Aaj Tak correspondent; and for making concerted efforts to solve the ongoing crisis and help in rehabilitation of the displaced people among others.
On the other-hand, Nongchup Imphal Palem Ima Apunba Lup (NIMPAL) has demanded the gov-ernment to take up measures to conduct NRC update in the state and disarm militant groups under Suspension of Operation (So0) agreement in order to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club hereon Sun-day, NIMPAL general secretary S Shanti strongly condemned the relentless attacks on Meetei civilians by Kuki militants under So0 and from across the border.
The present situation is a face-off between the well-armed and well-trained Kuki militants un-der So0 and common people of Meetei community, who took up their licensed arms to defend themselves.
Even though the union home minister issued warning of stern action against the So0 cadres violating ground rules the gov-ernment is letting them scot free to carry out their genocidal as-saults, she said while questioning the agenda behind the violence.
She further said that Kuki, who are native to the state, must feel angry with the current situa-tion and the feeling is same with the Meeteis.
The state is passing through a crucial juncture and it is high time for the people of all communities in the state join hands and work towards restor-ing peace, she added.
She also said that the Centre should understand the public apprehension against Assam Ri-fles on their roles in the whole situation and investigate how the armed Kuki militants got hands on huge number of sophisticated weapons.
She also sought stand from the 50 non-Kuki MLAs of the state on the present situation.
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