Protests staged against proposed measures to arrest village defence volunteers
Source: The Sangai Express
Kak/Tbl, June 27 2024:
Womenfolk staged a protest demonstration at Ema Wangoo Tampha Lairembi Haraopham community hall today against the attempts to arrest village defence volunteers who have been at the forefront to protect the people of Manipur ever since the outbreak of the ethnic violence.
The protest demonstration was organised by Wangoo Ahallup Laipham Apunba Lup (WALAL) an apex body of Meira Paibi of Wangoo in Sugnu Assembly Constituency of Kakching district and Wangoo in Kumbi AC in Bishnupur district.
The protesting womenfolk denounced the apparent measures to arrest the village defence volunteers and urged the authorities concerned to refrain from such to avoid unwanted outcomes.
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Speaking in connection with the protest, Meira Paibi leader Loitongbam Bejenti said, 'We, mothers would not remain as mere spectators and will never allow the arrest of village defence volunteers' .
She urged the Government to contain the violence first by working out an amicable solution rather than focusing on carrying out a crackdown on these volunteers who have been making selfless efforts for the motherland.
Expressing dismay to see hundreds of youths risking their future by volunteering to safeguard their people and land, she maintained that the Government should be held responsible for such a concerning situation.
Had the conflict situation was controlled timely by the Government, then the situation would not have aggravated, she remarked.
Considering the tense situation in Manipur, she called for stern actions against the Kuki narco terrorists who are the actual instigators of the violence in the State.
The protestors also chanted slogans as 'Wipe out Kuki terrorists', 'Safeguard the integrity of Manipur', 'Save the indigenes of Manipur', 'Village defence volunteers should not be arrested' etc.
Meanwhile, meira paibis of Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, Thoubal staged a sit-in protest at Thoubal Wangmataba Devi Mandop today demanding the withdrawal of Central security forces from Manipur.
The womenfolk also denounced the attempts to arrest the village defence volunteers and urged the Government to expedite measures for restoration of peace and normalcy in crisis stricken Manipur.
Participating at the protest, Khukampal president, Waikhom Meipak said the Prime Minister and Home Minister should visit to bring an amicable solution and resolve the ethnic crisis which has been going on since May 3 last year.
Strongly condemning the inability of the Government to contain the violence, she urged the Central leaders to give special focus to bring an end to the crisis for the welfare of Manipur.
Raising concerns on the alleged 'biased attitude of the central security forces' in this ongoing crisis, she maintained that the forces should be withdrawn from the State if they are not able to deliver their duties effectively in a neutral manner.
Later the womenfolk chanted slogans such as 'Resolve the ongoing crisis', 'Withdraw Central forces from Manipur', 'We Want Peace', 'Protect village defence volunteers', etc.
The sit-in protest was jointly organised by Khunai Kanba Apunba Meira Paibi Lup and Thoubal District United Women Development Organisation.