Time for Meiteis to decide own future: Lancha
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 28 2023:
While claiming that the on-going conflict is selective attack on the Meiteis, cultural activist Ningthouja Lancha said time has come for the Meitei community to decide and make their own future by constitut-ing Meitei National Assembly (Meitei Phambei).
Speaking at the establish-ment of Meitei Phambei at iNMDA on Sunday, Ningthouja Lancha highlighted the need to set up Phambei for people of oppressed villages such as Ekou, Leitanpokpi, Yengkhu-man, Dolaithabi, Pangei, Khun-drakpam, Sekmai, Senjam Chirang, Leikinthabi, Nambol, Moirang, Torbung, Wangoo, Sa-gang and Sugnu among others.
It is not the time to speak only for their villages instead Meiteis should galvanise all available resources and col-lectively fight to protect self and rights, he continued.
Though the conflict seems to be of low scale the situation is critical especially due to sus-pected involvement of external forces, he opined while adding that Meitei Phambei has been established out of necessity.
Lancha also asserted that the campaign to protect Meitei
villagers will be launched under the Phambei.
He further stated that evi-dences of attacks carried out jointly by central forces and armed Kuki militants are avail-able with the affected villagers who collected video footages and audio recordings.
Moreover the attempt to burn a shop at New Checkon by Rapid Action Force should be looked into seriously, he continued, while adding that the state govern-ment should clarify the matter, or else Meiteis have to protect themselves and decide their own future.