'Ningols' stage sit-ins on Chakkouba day
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 16 2023:
In an exemplary show of solidarity with families of those killed and displaced owing to the current turmoil in the state, womenfolk belonging to Meetei community renounced celebration of their grandest festival, Ningol Chakkouba, and instead staged hunger strikes and sit-ins on Wednesday.
Hiyanggei Nini Panba (the second day of Meetei calendar month of Hiyanggei) is the day every Meetei woman keeps counting to join their parents and siblings for a family reunion over a multi-cuisine lunch.
The day, which is celebrated as Ningol Chakkouba every year since time immemorial without any interruption was different this time on Wednesday as Meetei women renounced celebrations, put on black clothes and staged hunger strike and sit-in demonstrations to show respect to those killed and displaced by the unrest since May 3.Khwairamband Keithel in the heart of Imphal city and other women markets in the state, while usually bustle with activities, were eerily quiet as shops downed shutters and only few people were seen on the streets.
The fish fair usually organised one day prior to the festival every year by the fisheries department too was cancelled for this year.
In fact, many civil society organisations, clubs and Meira Paibi bodies had already declared not to celebrate Ningol Chakkouba this year and the response was overwhelming as not a single woman was seen going to their parental house to celebrate the festival.
In the past, Ningol Chakkouba day witnessed huge traffic jams at every road junction but there was no traffic congestion on Wednesday and no sign of celebrating the festival.
Fruit vendors and fish sellers usually seen on Ningol Chakkouba day could not be spotted anywhere on Wednesday.
Rather, many women were seen joining demonstrations by wearing black cloths at their respective localities from early morning till late afternoon while some individuals visited relief camps and had lunch together with the inmates to show solidarity and encourage them.
At many places in valley districts, women came out to the streets and staged hunger strike and sit-ins to show solidarity with the displaced and suffering people.
On the other hand, some women's organisations carried out hunger strike protest under uniform banner of 'Leingakna Ningol Singda Tambiba khudol, Chara Henbagi Khongnang' at different places denouncing the government's failure to resolve the crisis.
The hunger strikes organised under the aegis of Thawai Mirel were held at Nongshum Khamenlok, Khonghampat, Langthabal Kunja, Bashikhong, Tera Loukrakpam Leikai, Langol Housing complex, Sabungkhok, Pungdongbam, Sekta, Wangkhei Thambalkhong Lane 1, Langjing Achouba, Porompat Thawanthaba Leikai, Naoremthong Laishram Leirak Machin and other places.
On the other hand, inmates of the relief camp opened at Samurou Government High School which is run by All Samurou Naorem Chaprou Clubs and Meira Paibi Lup also skipped Ningol Chakkouba festival and instead staged hunger strike.
All Samurou, United Clubs Organisation organised hunger strike at Samurou Keithel.
Anilongbi Apunba Meira Paibi, Mayang Imphal also skipped Ningol Chakkouba festival and staged hunger strike.
As in other parts of the state, Ningol Chakkouba was not celebrated in Thoubal district.
Instead sit-ins and hunger strikes were staged by women over the present conflict at Haokha Heibimakhong, Kshetrileikai Chingkhong, Satjal Mamang, Tarukhongnang community hall, Moirangpalli and Keithel Macha.