Meetei, Kuki bodies mark one year of ethnic conflict
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 03 2024: Showcasing the continuing ethnic hostility, Meetei and Kuki-Zomi communities on Friday organised separate events in their respective areas to mark the one-year of ethnic violence in the state.

Different organisations of both Meetei and Kuki-Zomi, however, in their separate programmes, paid their tributes to those killed in the ethnic riot, which began on May 3 last year.

Seven women, as part of their symbolic protest, shaved their heads and took part in a cycle rally to spread the message of peace and unity.

Donning black clothes and displaying placards, with the slogan: "We want peace, no to separate administration, protect territorial integrity", travelled 19 km from Sekmai to Kangla, at the heart of Imphal city.

Shanti Devi, one of the women, said that they shaved their heads as a part of their symbolic gesture and to protest the government's incapability to curb the sporadic incidents of violence, especially on the fringe areas in between the Imphal Valley and Kuki populated hill areas.

Though hair holds significant importance to women, serving as a means of expression, cultural identity, societal acceptance, emotional attachment, physical protection, sensuality, and a symbol of health and vitality, seven 'mothers' took a drastic step on Friday, shaving off their heads and taking out a cycle rally from Sekmai to Kangla with the message of "We are suffering extremely" while demanding the central and state governments to resolve the crisis at the earliest.

The cycle rally was initiated by Koujengleima Youth Development Organisation (KYDO), Awang Sekmai.

The seven women, namely Ch Sobita, Kh Inaobi, M Shanti, Kh Subita, Kh Premita, M Ibenao and Th Nanao, shaved off their heads on Friday morning.

Dressed in black, the seven women took blessings from Koujengleima shrine and started to pedal towards Kangla.

They were greeted and encouraged by local people of different localities along their way to Kangla.

At Kangla, the seven women entered the historic fort from the western gate and sought blessings for ending the conflict and resolving the situation.

Interacting with the media, Khwairakpam Inaobi urged the public not to take their decision to shave of their heads lightly as women take pride on their hair since it holds significant importance for them.

This is a desperate attempt to wake up the government to the extreme hardships and sufferings of the people due to the crisis.

This is to draw attention of the government to the sleepless nights and restless days spent by the people, especially in the fringe areas, and the sacrifices made by the village volunteers, she said.

She urged the government to take immediate measures to resolve the crisis at the earliest without compromising the territorial integrity and identity of Manipur.

KYDO senior member Moirangthem Ibomcha said that the number of the women draw inspiration from the mythical Lai Nura Taret (Seven Goddesses) and the idea to shave off their heads and wear black attire is to symbolise the extreme sufferings of the people.

KYDO organised the rally with support of Sekmai Coordinating Committee, Manipur Kanba Lup and local clubs of the surrounding areas, he said.

The rally, which was flagged off from Sekmai Koujengleima from 7 am, reached Kangla western gate at 9 am.

Leaders and representatives of different organisations, members of different local clubs, Meira Paibi organisations and commoners from different parts of the state also came to Kangla to show their support to the seven women.

Meanwhile, M Sobita Devi, a spokesperson of women activists' organisation 'Meira Paibi', said that Manipur, during the past year, has lost a huge number of human lives, and suffered damage to enormous and unaccounted numbers of government and non-government properties, while the economy, education, trades, and business were impacted.

"Today we once again remember the immense losses in all spheres of society.

We are still shocked recounting the horror of violence, atrocities committed on farmers, daily wage earners, poor people, women, elderly persons," she told the media.

Displaced persons, sheltered in relief camps, also organised various programmes on one year of completion of violence.

The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) has urged the people to observe May 3 emphasising the importance of unity and peace.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the apex body of the Meitei community, observed the completion of one year of the ongoing conflict at Sumang Leela Sanglen, Palace Compound in Imphal East under the banner of "365-Days of Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorist Aggression in Manipur".

Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), the apex body of the Kuki-Zomi, observed shutdown in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and other districts on Friday and urged all members of the Kuki-Zo community to hoist a black flag on every household as a mark of remembrance and solidarity.

"All business establishments, institutions, and markets remained closed as a sign of respect and homage to our fallen heroes.

Let us come together as one community to reflect on our journey, reaffirm our oneness, and strengthen our resolve towards a brighter future for the Kuki-Zo people," an ITLF statement said.

Hundreds of people belonging to the Kuki-Zomi community paid respect and organised various commemorative events as a mark of respect to those killed in the ethnic violence.

Kuki-Zomi community organisations also held commemorative events cum protest programmes at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

Over 220 people, comprising both communities, have been killed, more than 1,500 injured and over 70,000 people displaced after the ethnic violence between the Meetei and Kuki-Zomi community broke out on May 3 last year.

The riot also destroyed thousands of houses, government and non-government properties and religious installations.

The riots began after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Meeteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live in the Imphal Valley comprising six districts while tribals -- Nagas and Kuki-Zomi-Chin - constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in ten hill districts as well as in the plains.

Since the ethnic riot began a year ago, 10 tribal MLAs belonging to Kuki-Zomi communities and several Kuki organisations, including the ITLF and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), have been demanding separate administrations or a separate state for the Kukis living in the state.

Different organisations, local clubs and Meira Paibi groups as well as families also held candle light vigil in honour of the fallen victims and martyrs of the crisis.

Meira Paibi organisations of Lamsang and surrounding areas conducted candle light vigil at Heibongpokpi.

Lamjing Meira Lup Laipham Khunnou, and Arora Club & Library Laipham Khunnou Maning Leikai organised similar memorial service at the club campus.

Meitei Resurgence Forum also organised candle light memorial service in front of Kangla western gate and paid tributes to the victims and martyrs.

Manipur University students held similar memorial service at the traffic island located in front of the University gate.

Malem Ima Kanba Lup (MIKL) Kangleipak observed a two-minute silence in honour of the victims and martyrs, and also urged the government to take up decisive action to resolve the crisis at the earliest.

Uripok Apunba Lup and Uripok Nupi Apunba Lup observed the day as "Meitei Mitkap Thokpa Numit" at the premises of PUHINGKHUL Club, Uripok Naoremthong in the evening.

(With input from IANS) .

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