Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, June 17:
Most of us elderly women in the state are illiterate, and for so long we had been ignorant of the root causes of insurgency in the state.
But recently, we have realized why our youths are holding guns in their hands and fighting.
We have realized that it is due to the negligence of the government of India towards the welfare of our youth and unequal treatment meted out to them by it.
This was stated by the president of Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, Sagolband, Ima Sakhitombi Devi, while addressing a press conference jointly organized by the All Manipur Nupi Marup and Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, Sagolband, this afternoon at Khwairamband bazar in connection with the Centre�s decision to extend the cease-fire with NSCN (IM) into the territory of Manipur and other states.
Earlier, Ima Ibeni Devi, vice president of All Manipur Nupi Marup, said the government of India is inviting another Nupi Lal in the state by taking the decision to extend the cease-fire into the territory of Manipur despite strong protests from the people of Manipur.
She strongly denounced the government to whom, she said, the insurgent group like NSCN(IM) is more important than over 20 lakhs of people of Manipur.
Stating that due to this cease-fire extension, serious communal tensions among various communities is likely to take place, she also demanded the government to withdraw the cease-fire agreement immediately.
On the other hand, the meira paibis unitedly demanded the MLAs and MPs of Manipur to immediately resign if they can not safe guard the interest of their people.
Meanwhile, the Imphal West Women�s Development Organization, the Khunthokhanbi Meira Paibi, the Khwai Nagamapal Nisha Bandh, the Chingmeirong Maning Mamang Women�s Development Association have pledged support to the agitations launched by AMSU, AMKIL, NIPCO,UPF and others demanding withdrawal of the agreement to extend cease-fire into the territory of Manipur.