Imagi Meira begins protest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 02 2026: Imagi Meira has launched a protest demonstration urging the State Assembly to discuss and take resolutions on a 9-point charter of demands, which include an appeal to the legislators to a Bill to protect the rights and interests of the indigenous people of the State.

The protest demonstration, which it said will continue day and night for the period of the Assembly session, was launched near Khoyathong Pukhri.

At the sit-in demonstration, Imagi Meira president Thokchom Sujata said that the Assembly session which began today should take strong resolutions to safeguard Manipur's integrity and protect its indigenous population.

Detailing the 9-point charter of demands, Sujata said the Assembly must introduce and pass "Manipur Indigenous People (Verification, Identification and Registration) Bill" and enact it to protect indigenous peoples' identity, rights and interests.

Regarding the reported deferment of the census operations, there is confusion among the people.

To do away with the ambiguity, the Government must issue an official notification showing the deferment of the operations, Sujata said.

Further, the State Assembly must take a concrete resolution to update the National Register of Citizens or implement a similar mechanism that would help detect and identify illegal immigrants settling in Manipur, she said.

The current crises in Manipur began in May 2023 with conflict between Meiteis and the Kukis.

Now, the conflict has expanded with the Kukis and the Nagas clashing in the hills, Sujata said.

With the situation deteriorating, there is an urgent need for concrete actions to contain violence.

A positive step toward this would be abrogating the Suspension of Operations (SoO), under which Kuki militants have launched attacks on villages and killed civilians, she added.

Further, the State legislators must join the Naga MLAs in their demand to remove Nemcha Kipgen as the Deputy Chief Minister, and the Government must take strong action against her husband and president of the KNP-F, Sujata said.

Also, the Government must act swiftly to deliver justice for Nagas killed in attacks by Kuki militants, and take proactive steps to trace all missing persons, she added.

The Government must further take steps to allow return and resettlement of internally displaced persons to their original villages, and allow village volunteers to operate under a legal framework, she said.

The State Assembly during its current session must discuss the 9-point charter of demands minutely and take positive resolutions, Sujata added.

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