Meira Paibi Movement completes 30 year
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 30 2010: Meira Paibis have come about to stop atrocities of security forces on the innocent civilians and not at the instigation of any UG group.

So, no community or group should try to tarnish the image of the Meira Paibis, Meira Paibi leader Th Ramani has stated.

Speaking at the occasion of observing the 30th anniversary of Meira Paibi movement in Manipur organised under the aegis of All Manipur Women's Social Reformation and Development Samaj, in short Nupi Samaj at the community hall of Heirangoithong Makha Awang Maibam Leikai yesterday, Ramani lamented that these days no one has made any conscious effort to understand the true image of the Meira Paibi and the essence behind their movement.

Instead, many people have started looking upon the Meira Paibis as some group of womenfolk who can be easily utilised by the politicians for campaigning during election.

So, there is the need to discuss and understand the true image and purpose of Meira Paibis and how their movement has come about, she added.

It may be recalled here that Nupi Samaj has been observing Meira Paibi Numit on December 29 every year since 1980 in commemoration of the movement launched by the womenfolk of Heirangoithong Makha Awang Maibam Leikai against the Army personnel who came to arrest one Lourembam Ibomcha.

The agitated womenfolk managed to save Ibomcha, an alleged innocent civilian, from the hands of the Army personnel.

At the outset of the observance function today, the congregation observed one minute silence as mark of respect to all the departed women leaders who led the first Meira Paibi movement.

Thirty candles were also lit as a symbol of 30 years of Meira Paibi movement.

Besides Ramani, H Brojeshori, Oinam Mohila, founder general secretary of Macha Leima Yumlembam Ibetombi and social activist Joy Moirangthem were also present as presidium members.

Talking about Meira Paibi movement, Ramani recalled that on December 29, 1980, three persons namely Mutum Dhaballo, Lourembam Ibomcha and Inaocha were arrested by the Army on alleged charge of planting a bomb and conducted combing operation in Maibam Leikai area.

After the operation, agitated womenfolk of Maibam Leikai went to Canchipur and managed to take away at least L Ibomcha from the custody of the Army.

After this incident, the Army personnel unleased a reign of terror in Maibam Leikai and no man could venture out from their houses.

Consequently, the womenfolk were compelled to take up the task of patrolling the locality at night with torches in their hands and thus began the Meira Paibi movement.

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