Human chains protest drone attacks, Govt inaction
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 06 2024:
In response to COCOMI's call, various meira paibi lups, clubs, organisations, students, and teachers took to the streets on Friday and formed human chains in protest against alleged inaction by both central and state governments, despite escalating threat to national security following the recent drone bomb attacks by Kuki militants.
People from all walks of life took part in the formation of human chains starting from 11 am onward, and shouted various slogans.
In the capital city Imphal, formation of human chains and slogan shouting were witnessed in areas such as Keishamthong, Uripok-Kangchup road, Tiddim Line, Sagolband-Tera road, Thangmeiband, Chingmeirong, and Canchipur.
The legal fraternity also joined the protest in front of High Court complex, Chingmeirong and Chierap Court, Uripok.
In addition, staff of Eastern Motors joined the protest by forming human chains.
Similar protests were also held in Khurai Lamlong, Tinsid Road, and Kongpal Kongkham Leikai, where demonstrators raised slogans.
Women vendors of Khurai Lamlong Keithel and meira paibis from Tinsid Road and Kongpal joined the protest and chanted slogans such as "Central forces should be removed from the state if they cannot save lives", "Kuki terrorists should be officially declared as terrorists", "Drone bombing is an act of terrorism", "People of Manipur condemn the central government's attitude", and "People condemn the cowardice of the Manipur government".
Speaking to reporters, All Manipur Bar Association president Puyam Tomcha Meitei expressed strong condemnation of the central government's silence over the recent aerial bombings.
He described the government's lack of response as deeply unfortunate and pressed for immediate and decisive action to address the ongoing crisis in the state.
The participants also expressed dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the ongoing conflict in the state.
The rally saw school and college students in uniform, as well as women from various localities, lining up along roadsides in Thoubal Bazar, Lilong Chajing in Thoubal district, and Sekmai, Kwakeithel, Singjamei in Imphal West district raising slogans condemning the recent attacks in Koutruk and Senjam Chirang.
P Herojit Singh, a youth leader from Khurai in Imphal East district, told reporters, "The drone and gun attacks on Koutruk and Senjam Chirang were unprovoked and targeted local villagers.
Everyone in the country should strongly condemn these acts, and the central government should take appropriate action against the perpetrators".
He added that the conflict has escalated from communal violence to terrorist attacks on civilians using sophisticated, high-tech weapons sourced from abroad.
"Such acts are not tolerated elsewhere in the country, so why are they allowed to persist in Manipur?" he added.
Students of different educational institutions and mei-ra paibi activists from Thoubal Wangmataba blocked half the NH-102 (Imphal-Moreh Road), demanding resignation of the chief minister of Manipur if he could not ensure public safety.
Evergreen Flower School, Thoubal Ningombam students also formed human chain along the Thoubal MI Road, while women vendors from Thoubal Keithel protested in front of the market, blocking NH-102 and chanting slogans against both the central and state governments.
In Kakching, the COCOMI initiative led to protests organised by the Kakching Keithel Apunba Ima Lup, Kakching Apunba Nupi Lup and Kakching Bazar Business Welfare Association.
They formed human chains in Kakching market and chanted various slogans.
Additionally, Keirak Apunba Meira Paibee, Yelhoumee Kanba Lup-Hiyanglam, Wabagai; Lamjao Apunba Meira Paibee Lup; Khunggang Shemgat Shagatpa Lup (KSSL) Lamjao; Peace Keeping and Protection Committee Lamjao; and meira paibis from Waikhong, Thongjao, Kakching Khunou, Umathel and Tangjeng Khunjao all participated in human chain protests.
Students of Grace Cottage Academy (Kakching), Amutombi Divine Life English School (Wabagai Lamkhai), H Keinahal Memorial English School (Langmeidong) and Kakching Khunou College also took part by forming human chains and chanting slogans in front of their institutions.
In Jiri, human chains were formed in Samupunbi area along NH-37.During the protest, major markets were closed, and vehicles remained off the roads.
Drones are a new technology added recently to the weapons used in the violence between the two large ethnic groups - Meetei and Kuki -in the state, which left over 200 people dead since May last year.
The use of the remote-controlled small flying device as a weapon was first noticed in Manipur on September 1 in Koutruk village in Imphal West district.
In the attack in which guns were also used, two persons were killed and nine others were injured.
Drones were employed again in Senjam Chirang, around three km away, the next day, injuring three persons.
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