Meira paibi Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 28 2014: Obituaries to departed women acti- vists, renewed calls for sustaining the campaign to repeal Armed Forces' Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 and dignitaries exhorting women activists to play pro-active role in eradicating malaise afflicting the Manipuri society marked the 16th Meira Paibi Day observance function held today at Tharo Devi Lampak, Khurai Salanthong.

The observance program-me was preceded by those present at the occasion offe-ring floral tributes to the portraits of departed Meira Paibi leaders.

As chief guest of the commemorative event, for-mer Manipur University Professor (Political Science) Kshetri Bimola observed that cases of security force personnel's involvement in violation of human rights of the citizens and atrocities committed against Manipuri womenfolk testify that contrary to rights the Indian Constitution advocates there is sense of insecurity among the people.

Meira paibi Day at Tharo Devi Lampak, Khurai Salanthong

Citing various incidents of human rights violation in the State and prolonged imposition of AFSPA in Manipur to substantiate her observation, she categorically stated that political will of those at the helm of affairs is a necessity to free the people from the repressive Act.

Rather than doing the needful for repealing AFSPA from Manipur, political leaders have a tendency to make the issue prominent only during elections thus amounting to taking the people for a ride, noted Bimola and strongly emphasised on concerted and collective movement to ensure that the Act exist no longer in the State.

According to Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi apunba Manipur president Longjam Memchoubi genesis of the Meira Paibi dates back to May 28, 1980 when personnel of paramilitary force went on the rampage in Patsoi area in retaliation against an attack on its camp by insurgent activists.

Denouncing the security force misconduct that included outraging modesty of Manipuri women, group of women launched various campaigns to protect the people from further subjugation by the security force, Memchoubi recounted while highlighting that Meira paibi movement has been gaining momentum along with increasing responsibility.

Belittling opinion in certain quarters that BJP-led NDA returning to power at the centre is a historic change, she said the change in governance is cosmetic and hardly relevant to people of Manipur for policies of Indian Government in the context of Manipur will always be the same.

prevailing upon the Meira Paibis to remain ever vigilant, the women activities however accepted that compared to the 1980s cases of security force personnel abusing rights of Manipuris have scaled down to a certain extent.

Speaking at the occasion, Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup president Phanjoubam Sakhi Leima contended that political leaders periodically assuring replacement of draconian legislation with more humane laws is merely a ploy to prolong subjugation of Manipuris.

Recent trend of security forces embarking on so-called people-friendly activities is yet another ploy to cover up their misadventure with an ulterior motive to commit atrocities in a low-key manner, she said.

Leaders of various meira paibi organisations were also present at the observance function.