'Disarmament must apply to all'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 02 2025:
The Singjamei to Lilong Apunba Meira Paibi Lup has categorically stated that the initiative taken up by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to get all illegal arms back must apply to both the valley and the hills equally.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Singjamei to Lilong Apunba Meira Paibi Lup general secretary Shantibala Khaidem said that the Meitei village volunteers took up to defend their own community and the State after the Government of India and its security forces failed miserably to perform their duty.
Had there been no village volunteers, the Meitei community could have been exterminated, she said before asserting that the Governor's initiative of disarming village volunteers should not be limited to the valley alone.
If the Government commits the blunder of disarming or prosecuting only the Meitei village volunteers, Manipuri womenfolk are prepared to launch a strong movement in order to protect the village volunteers, Shantibala said.