People across 135 villages in Assam raise peace call
Source: The Sangai Express

Jbm/Thb, July 05 2023: Demanding restoration of peace in strife-torn Manipur, residents across 135 villages of Assam's Cachar, Karimganj and Heilakandi districts staged a sit-in protest under the aegis of Manipuri Lanba Loop (MAKAL) today.

At the numerous protest sites, the protestors held placards with their demands such as "No ST, no rest", "Withdraw SoO", "No violence, we want peace", "No disintegration of Manipur", "Stop narco-terrorism", "Seal Indo-Myanmar border", "Implement NRC in Manipur" and so on.

During the course of the massive protest, the protestors conveyed their demands, namely, restoration of peace in Manipur, abrogation of SoO pact with Kuki militants etc among others.

After winding up the largescale protests held across three districts in Assam, MAKAL organised a press conference at Konjeng Leikai Guest House in Cachar, Lakhipur.

People across 135 villages in Assam raise peace call

Speaking on the occasion, MAKAL spokesperson Arambam Nanda Babu, retd ACS stated that the protesting villagers have submitted a memorandum to the President of India detailing their demand for implementation of NRC to detect illegal immigrants, granting ST status to Meetei community, restoration of peace etc.

The MAKAL spokesperson warned that more intense forms of agitation will be launched by the organisation if both the Central and State Government disregards MAKAL's sit-in protest and continue to prolong the suffering of the Manipuri people who have been embroiled in this conflict for more than two months.

Meanwhile, Kangleipak Women's Welfare Association (KWWA), Young Development Sports Organization (YDSO) and Nupi Chaokhat Khongthang Lup organised a sit-in protest at Thoubal Wangmataba Litan Makhong today demanding abrogation of SoO pact with Kuki militants,.

Speaking by the sideline of the protest which saw a large turnout of local womenfolk, Wangjam Bembem, secretary, Nupi Chaokhat Khongthang Lup Thoubal Wangma Taba Mathak Leikai stated that the people want peace and withdrawal of SoO pact.

The Government has urged womenfolk to refrain from blocking roads, standing in guard and checking vehicles but the security forces are not taking up proactive measures to bring peace, she claimed.

She also urged the Chief Minister to unite the MLAs and take up concrete steps to restore normalcy.

Separately, around 200 displaced persons from Gwaltabi whose houses have been torched by Kuki militants also staged a sit-in protest at Biramangol College Sawombung gate today.

Around 48 students between classes I to VIII also joined the protest instead of attending their classes with school reopening today.

Dhiren Sharma from Gwaltabi Ward No 1/1/7 demanded proper measures to commence farming activities in Gwaltabi and appealed for resettlement of displaced folks.