Duo on hunger strike detained, two others join stir
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 31 2023: Police on Thursday picked up two women who were on indefinite hunger strike from Wednesday as part of the agitation launched by Thawai Mirel Women Wing at Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai Singjamei Thongkhong.

The two women being kept under detention at JNIMS Hospital are Nepram Ganga (56), wife of (late) Nepram Arun of Bashikhong Torban Leikai and Chongtham Pramo (53), wife of Chongtham Kumar of Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai.

The two protestors were rounded up by a team of Singjamei police station including women personnel around 7:30 am from the protest venue.

After the two were carried away by the police, same number of women continued the indefinite hunger strike from around 8 am.

The agitation was intensified on Wednesday onwards in the form of indefinite hunger strike from the earlier relay hunger strike launched by the Women Wing demanding unity among the CSOs in the state, work under single leadership and for the Manipur Legislative Assembly to take a resolute resolution for protecting Manipur.

The two women who resumed the hunger strike are Beisamayum Malaya (52), wife of (late) B Manglem of Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai Lane 9 and Samjetsabam Thoibi (55), wife of (late) S Sarat of Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai Lane 6.Demanding unification of all CSOs in the state to guide the people under a common agenda and for convening a special assembly session to pass resolution for upholding the territorial integrity of Manipur, Thawai Mirel Women Wing launched the indefinite hunger strike at Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai, on Wednesday.

First day of the agitation commenced with Nepram Ganga and Chongtham Pramo.

Thawai Mirel Women Wing had been carrying out relay hunger strike in different parts of the state since August 21 but wrapped it up on Tuesday following failure of CSOs as well as the state government to fulfil the demands.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Nepram Ganga informed that she sells vegetables at Singjamei market and runs her family.

However, the present crisis in the state has brought unwanted problems and miseries to the people while the state government has failed to solve the problems of the people and the CSOs are hesitating to unite and lead the people for reasons best known to them, she had pointed out, adding that the unrest situation and lack of unity compelled her to join the indefinite hunger strike.

Pramo, who is also a daily wager, regretted that everyone including the CSOs are not listening to one another and doing whatever they want despite appeals from various sections of the society to unite.

Therefore, she has decided to take part in the stir, she reasoned.

Meanwhile, endorsing the agitation launched by Thawai Mirel Women Wing, Khurai Heikrumakhong Apunba Nupi Lup decided to carry forward and continue the relay hunger strike stir.

Speaking to reporters in this regard, Lup member Laitonjam Ashalata pointed out that the people of Manipur expected that the state assembly convened on Tuesday would take a resolution according to the wishes of the people.

However, as the conduct of the assembly session was in complete contrast to what the people want, people have been left angered and shattered.

Therefore, the body has decided to extend support to all the agitations launched by Thawai Mirel.

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