The saga of the Meira Paibi
and its relevance in the present conflict of Manipur

Dr Rosy Yumnam *

Women folk staged human-chain at various part of Imphal city on 06th June 2023 :: Pix - Khaba Kh

In North East India, women are endowed with a rich history of collective contribution and participation in organized movements for any common cause in the society. In the present times too, many women's groups have contributed to various protest movements against political and social issues.

The Meira Paibi, literally translated as 'Women Torch Bearers' is one such group which plays a pertinent role in the social movement of Manipur.

They are a group of women particularly belonging to the Meitei community of Manipur who work for the common well-being and upliftment of the people in the society. The Meira Paibi is an informal group formed in each locality to fight social evils like drug addiction, sexual violence, alcoholism, etc. in Manipur.

In extreme cases of social and political degradation, they extend their activities to vehemently airing political and social injustices. In fact, they don the mantle of the torch bearers in its true sense in safeguarding human rights.

The Meira Paibi movement started in the 1970s to fight social evils like drug addiction, alcoholism and sexual violence. However, much before, the women of Manipur have been socially and politically active. The origin of the Meira Paibi movement can be traced way back to the Nupi Laan (Women's War) of 1904 and 1939.

In 1904, women in large groups organised a public demonstration against the British colonial administration. They protested against lalupkaba (forced labour) of Manipuri men and their collective persistence led to success. The British withdrew the practice in the same year.

In 1939, women protested against chaktangba (a rise in food prices). They objected to the colonial Government's oppressive policies, and these movements became known as Nupi Laan. These movements were successful in getting their voices heard and impacted the economy of Manipur. Then, in the 1970s, women started a mass movement called Meira Paibi movement to maintain peace and social order in Manipur.

The 1970s saw a marked rise in drugs and alcohol users especially among young boys and men leading to addiction which further gave rise to an increase in crimes such as wife-beating, public disorder and various forms of gender violence.

The movement was launched to curb these social evils. The movement started an anti-liquor movement called Nisha bandh which greatly assisted in educating alcoholics and drug addicts about the menace of substance abuse.

Women folk staged human-chain at various part of Imphal city on 06th June 2023 :: Pix - Khaba Kh

In addition to curbing the rampant social menaces during its formative years, the Meira Paibi has been actively involved in the resistance and nonviolent movement since the 1970s when the counter-insurgency operations started in Manipur. They have successfully undertaken many powerful nonviolent actions to confront excesses of the security forces in the last seven decades.

The draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA, 1958) was enforced in certain parts of the North East region. This Act violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as it provides complete impunity to the Indian military forces while operating in these regions which include a large part of Manipur and the North East region.

The Meira Paibi has launched powerful protests against AFSPA. They have also successfully worked at the ground level with assistance from the local youth clubs to develop a system aimed at preventing random youth arrests, disappearances and deaths. Given their significant responsibility and role, it became a common practice to build Meira shang (bamboo huts) as meeting places for the women.

Gathered in the huts, the women took turns guarding the locality against the atrocities of the armed forces personnel and also various other unwarranted violence. On July 15, 2004, a unique protest was launched in front of the Kangla Fort (the capital of the erstwhile Manipur Kingdom, and at the time the headquarters of the Assam Rifles) in Imphal.

Twelve mothers of Manipur disrobed themselves in front of the main paramilitary headquarters. They used their nakedness as a weapon against the political oppression. This protest was to denounce the brutal rape and extra-judicial killing of a 32-year-old woman named Thangjam Manorama.

In doing so, they protested against years of discrimination, atrocities, human rights violation and sexual violence. The twelve mothers courageously challenged the entire Nation to the gender violence and human rights violations of women. This became a powerful movement of the Meira Paibi. Such are the brave and stellar acts of the Meira Paibi.

Women folk staged human-chain at various part of Imphal city on 06th June 2023 :: Pix - Khaba Kh

A month after this protest, the State Government withdrew the controversial AFSPA from seven constituencies in Imphal area. The Meira Paibi movement, therefore became a precedent of women empowerment in the patriarchal Manipuri society.

Notwithstanding their rich historical testimony, the saga of the Meira Paibi in the current conflict involving two ethnic communities of Manipur is being contested from different quarters. To contain the present turmoil in Manipur, around 130 Internal Security Columns of the Army and the Assam Rifles were deployed to reinstate law and order.

Additional troops were flown in with the help of the Air Force to date. Regrettably, the violence continues and deepens. People are still dying in this chaotic conflict. At this crucial juncture, the Meira Paibi has been voluntarily and vigorously contributing and participating in various forms and capacities. The Central and the State Armed Forces have been accused of biased treatment from both communities.

And the question is, why have the Meira Paibi become fearless and dauntless unarmed warriors in this dangerous war zone? To this day, the engagement of the armed groups of both communities continues in the foothills. Under this failed law and order anarchic state, the unarmed Meira Paibi throng the entire war zone to put forth defensive strategies towards defending the territorial integrity of the State.

As the turmoil enters its third month and with the system holding on firmly to its political agenda, it is but with a strong conviction that the Meira Paibi have come out in defending and safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur. People in the system are standing blindly watching this unwarranted violence treacherously piercing and destroying every fabric of the society.

So, the Meira Paibi, unarmed in this situation of total anarchy yet risking and shouldering the responsibility as the last bastion to create social semblance since its movement started, are coming out in unison to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state from this inexcusable political fiasco.

Judith Butler asserts that gender is related to performance. Gender as identity exists because of performing gendered acts. Butler contends that "identity is assured through the stabilizing concepts of sex, gender, and sexuality".

Women folk staged human-chain at various part of Imphal city on 06th June 2023 :: Pix - Khaba Kh

This identity is in reference to gender performativity. The gendered performance of the Meira Paibi ranges from being a mother, wife, daughter, daily wage earner, political activist besides being the 'Meira Paibi'. Butler's ideas are influential as the Meira Paibi is conditioned by their gendered roles in society come forward towards a resistant and nonviolent movement making them a force to reckon with.

In their quest to bring social change, the Meira Paibi has created a narrative of a gendered performance thereby contributing to the social, economic and political upliftment of the society. Conversely, at a time when Manipur is currently reeling under an injudicious upheaval of riots, the Meira Paibi has once again manifested their intense valour of creating their own space in a highly polarised situation.

The 'Meira' or the torch they carry is an epitome of peace, selflessness, security, hope and love. We firmly believe that the 'the Meira Paibi' will indeed bear the torch to resolve the present conflict and will inspire and lead the people of Manipur during these tough times towards a valued goal of peace, hope and love.