'SA/UT demand doesn't merit consideration'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 25 2024: Denouncing the demand for Separate Administration or Union Territory, protest rallies were taken out at two locations in Imphal West today.

The protesters categorically stated that the integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable, and the demand for Separate Administration or Union Territory does not merit consideration.

The protest rallies were organised by the 5 GP Village Protection Committee which comprises Meira Paibi organisations of Lamsang Nagar Panchayat, Phumlou Gram Panchayat, Mayang Langjing Gram Panchayat, Kadangband, Khurkhul and Khonghampat Gram Panchayat.

While the first rally was flagged off from Akham village, the second started from Pheidinga.

The rallies were participated by a large number of Meira Paibis and they were escorted by village volunteers.

'SA/UT demand doesn't merit consideration'

The marchers shouted many slogans like "We won't allow arrest of village volunteers'', "We won't allow search operations in the valley to arrest village volunteers and seize weapons'', "No Separate Administration should be granted" etc throughout the course of the rally from Pheidinga to Khonghampat.

Speaking to the media, Khonghampat Khunou Yaipha Thousil Nupi Lup member Namoijam Binaroy maintained that the Government's move to carry out extensive search operations in the valley districts after bringing in a large number of Central security forces is unwarranted.

Had the Centre and the State Government controlled the Kuki militants and miscreants in time, the situation would not have exacerbated to such a state nor the Meitei youth would have taken up arms, she said.

"Our sons and brothers who would have been studying or doing their duties or playing games and sports were compelled to take up arms in order to protect Manipur and save innocent citizens.

The conflict is now almost 14 months old.

It is unacceptable and unwarranted if the Government is planning to arrest these volunteers", she asserted.

"If the Government commits the blunder of arresting the volunteers, we, mothers, will fight in the forefront and the Government would be held accountable for any consequence resulting thereof", she warned.

The Central Government's actions are inimical to the interest of Manipur.

People responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'silent action' on Manipur with a 'silent reaction' in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

For every action, there is always a reaction, Binaroy said.

Now everyone knows that the Government of India has been using Kuki militants as mercenaries in some neighbouring countries for the Indian army cannot go directly and operate in these countries, she alleged.

She then urged the Government of India to give up its intention to put all Meitei youth behind bars after engineering a devastating upheaval in the State.

If the Kukis must demand Separate Administration or Union Territory, they should place the same demand before the Central Government but why should they attack innocent Meiteis for the same demand, she said.

She went on to ask if the Kukis would get their demand by massacring innocent Meitei people.

It was said that the 5 GP Village Protection Committee was also preparing a memorandum to be submitted to the Governor.

The memorandum categorically stated that no village volunteers should be arrested, no additional security forces should be deployed in the valley districts, integrity of Manipur should not be disturbed under any circumstances and the Kukis' demand should not be entertained.

The rally which was flagged off from Akham was participated by a large number of women from Phayeng, Tairenpokpi, Ma-yang Langjing, Kadang- band, Phumlou, Lairen Sajik, Akham, Lamsang and Lamdeng.

As the marchers were blocked by police near Lamsang police outpost, they turned around and headed to Lamdeng Khunou ground where they held a huge public meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, AMKIL president Lourem-bam Nganbi pointed out that giving a free hand to Kuki political leaders, militants and their supporters who have been scheming to break up Manipur is the greatest failure of both the Central Govt and the State Govt.The violent conflict started with the burning down of Meitei houses and ethnic cleansing of Meitei people from Kuki dominated places like Torbung, Chura-chandpur and Moreh.

Instead of initiating any action against those people who ignited the conflict with a sinister attempt to break up Manipur, the Central Government has been working to arrest the village volunteers who have been only defending innocent villagers.

It is an unfair and biased policy of the Government, Nganbi said.

She pointed out that village volunteers came into being after the Government failed miserably to protect Meitei people and their properties.

The Meira Paibi leader further warned that neither the Central Government nor the State Govt should make any move to arrest village defence volunteers or adopt any decision which infringes on the integrity of Manipur.