Record torch rally held to protest Manipur Bills
Source: The Sangai Express

Lamka, September 18 2015 : Womenfolk last night literally crowded an entire football ground here as they assembled for a record-torch-rally demanding the immediate repeal of the three 'anti-tribal Bills' passed by the State Assembly.

The Bills which were passed on August 31 reportedly without any debate had attracted violent protests across the hill districts in the State and nine youths including a minor, whose bodies are still at a mortuary, had lost their lives within two days of the protest while the houses of 5 MLAs, a Minister and an MP had been set afire by irate mobs.

As dissent over the Bills continued unabated for the third week in a row, womenfolk who are now at the forefront of the protest-turn-agitation last night organised a torch rally from Lamka Public ground to their respective villages where they had been holding dharnas for the past weeks.

Thousands of women turn up for the meeting at a football ground

The rally that had attracted a record number of women protestors forcing the JAC that oversaw the rally, to take up needed steps to avoid cases of asphyxiation, was addressed by representatives of the JAC, and SoO signatories KNO and UPF.

Addressing the rally prior to the march, JAC convenor H Mangchinkhup said recent events prevailing in Manipur have clearly indicated that the tribal deserve nothing less than an entirely separate administration from Manipur but nevertheless added that the JAC will work tirelessly for the repeal of the three anti-tribal Bills passed by the State Assembly on August 31.He also called on the public to continue their support to the ongoing movement.

He also appealed for another record turn-out tomorrow when a human-chain beginning from Kangvai to the ditrict hospital, covering an approximate 12 km stretch, will be formed and the signatures of the people collected to take the movement further.

The Joint Philanthropic Organisation which has been tasked to attend to the death and wounded have been entrusted to find a proper place of burial for the nine victims who are now declared 'tribal martyrs,' and depending upon their reports the 'martyrs' will be laid to rest with a befitting honour, he added.

UPF representative Sanga Hmar also praised the unity demonstrated by the tribal people following the passing of Bills and added that he is certain it will take the long cherished dream of the people to its logical conclusion.

Peter H Mate, the KNO representative also asserted that KNO and UPF had on September 13 agreed to share a common political demand following the strong public movement witnessed since August 31.He also declared that the bloods of the nine 'martyrs' will not go in vain.

ZRO's Advisor who also spoke before the crowd said the KNO and UPF leaders who are presently in New Delhi will soon finalise an interlocutor and speed up their political dialogue with the Government.

The womenfolk, who left the ground around 6 pm were told to only light their torches when leaving the ground as lighting the torch inside the crammed playground could lead to unwanted calamity due to the thick smoke emanating from the torches.

The rally, the biggest witnessed here ever, called for the immediate repeal of the three Bills in question; demanded the resignation of tribal MLAs; awarding punishment to the security personnel involved in killing protestors; and a separate administration for the tribals.