Manipur violence : Womenfolk stage torch rally
Source: The Sangai Express
Bishnupur, August 10 2023:
Denouncing the call for separate administration and batting for withdrawal of Assam Rifles and convening of special Assembly session, Utlou Apunba Meira Paibi Lup and YSWA jointly took out a torch rally accompanied by a human chain formation yesterday night.
The protestors convened at Utlou Kangjeibung and took out a torch rally along Utlou Tiddim Road which culminated at Phoijing Awang.
Hordes of people formed a human chain from Bishnupur Gate upto Phoijing Awang Thongkhong and raised calls for withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur and to uphold the territorial integrity of the State.
Separately, a press conference was held at Moirang Okshongbung Makha Leikai Community Hall calling for withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur today.
This demand was raised by members of Moirang Kendra Civil Defence Coordinating Committee Moirang Branch and meira paibis of the locality.
Accusing the Assam Rifles of being biased towards the Kukis, Y Shyam Khuman, member, Moirang Kendra Civil Defence Coordinating Committee Moirang Branch stated that people of the locality strongly condemn the alleged partisan behaviour of the AR.
A meira paibi by the name of Irom Mala also spoke to media persons and expressed discontent over the confrontation between Meitei womenfolk and Assam Rifles at Kangvai Bazar over the controversial issue of mass burial programme at Torbung Bangla.
Claiming that the AR personnel were clearly siding with the Kukis, she stated that peace will not return in Manipur until the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the State.
Notably, people at the conference wielded placards with messages such as 'Remove Assam Rifles from Manipur', 'Go back illegal migrants from Manipur', 'Stop using Indian security forces against Meiteis', 'Implement NRC in Manipur', 'Long live Manipur', 'Stop divide and rule policy' etc among others.