Sit-in denounces 'forked tongue' approach of double engine Government
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, July 01 2023: Raising many demands and denouncing protracted communal crisis, women folk of Wangjing-Lamding area staged a massive sit-in protest at Wangjing-Lamding Keithel today.

The sit-in jointly organised by Wangjing- Lamding Apunba Meira Paibi, Wangjing- Lamding Keithel women vendors and Peace and Integrity, Lamding demanded both the State and Central Governments to restore peace and normalcy at the earliest and to bring an amicable solution to the communal crisis which is about to turn two months.

The protestors displayed placards reading "Implement NRC in Manipur'', "Abrogate SoO pact with Kuki militants'', "down with forked-tongue approach of double engine Government", "State's integrity should not be disturbed", " No Separate Administration", etc during the sit-in.

Sit-in denounces 'forked tongue' approach of double engine Government

Speaking to media persons during the protest, president of Peace and Integrity-Lamding Oinam Thoibi condemned the ineffective handling of prolonged communal crisis by the State and the Central Governments.

The State has been witnessing an unprecedented communal conflict and both the Governments have failed to rein-in those inciting the hatred and causing the unrest or ensure security in the peripheral areas even after 59 days have elapsed since the outbreak of the crisis, she said.

"We have lost faith in both the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister.

Their incompetency has only added woes to the people affected by the communal crisis," she said while questioning until when people have to face the brunt of their incompetencies.

The recent remark of the Chief Minister that the Union Home Minister will look into the affairs of the hills and Chief Minister into the affairs of the valley is nothing but manifestation of two separate administrations which people will never agree with, she said.

If the State Government is unable to handle the situation, the Union Minister should intervene and oversee the affairs of both the hills and the valley or let the State Government control the whole State, she said.

If the question of separate administration ever arises, people of Wangjing -Lamding area are ever ready to launch more intense forms of agitation, she said.

One social activist, Laishram Sintha, who was also taking part in the sit-in, recalled the inhuman acts and cruelty meted out to the State natives during the "Seven Years Devastation (1819-1826)" by Awas and likens the incidents with the terror acts carried out by Kuki militants since May 3 .

"The devastation ended with our dhoti-clad brave forefathers pushing back those inhuman upto Ningthi Turel.

But the so-called leaders of the present generation are only good at delivering mouth service and do nothing when kuki militants run riot in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh, Serou, Phayeng and other areas at will," she said.

"They even turn deaf to the pain and cries of those who lost their family members, homes and properties only to retain their position," she continued.

The Government should immediately ensure rehabilitation and livelihoods to those who are displaced due to the conflict, she urged while seeking adequate security for these people.

The State, while reconsidering its hollow measures, should come up with an effective measure to rein in narco terrorists who are constantly taking advantage of the loopholes in the security measures and attacking Meitei settlements at will, she continued.