Meiteis in America organise peace demonstration
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 23 2023:
The Association of Meiteis in the Americas (AMA) organised a demonstration in front of the Wash-ington monument, Washington DC, USA on Thursday to denounce the violence in Manipur.
The peace demonstration which co-incided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the USA to strengthen the US-India tie drew large num-ber of Meitei participants including children, who travelled from various far and near cities across the United States.
The inclement weather with rain showers throughout the day did not dampen the spirits of those who stood united for peace in Manipur.
Placards with slogans like 'Ho Ima Manipur Nang Gumbi Leite Ima', 'Proud Meitei, Proud Indian', 'Peace is possible', 'Strongly condemn the violence' were put on display at the demonstration venue.
Meitei families with children from different corners of the country name-ly Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Con-necticut, Massachusetts, etc., em-barked on trips ranging from 4 hours to as long as 12 hours to be present at the gathering of solidarity.
Despite the distance and the hardships endured, their determination to stand united in Washington DC showcased the unwavering commitment of Meitei community to the cause of peace in Manipur, AMA said in a statement adding that many participants em-barked on red-eye flights from Cal-ifornia, Texas and Florida enduring long journeys to be present at the peace demonstration.
A representation of six people from the Bangladeshi Meitei community in New York also joined the peace demonstration while families and individuals from the nearby states -New York and New Jersey area made special efforts to travel a day before the event, immediately after completing their work commitments.
It was very wholesome and touching when one of the Bangladeshi Meitei said 'Bangla-desh tagi Oirasu Thamoi Di Manipur Gird' (Though from Bangladesh heart and soul is for Manipur), the AMA said.