Cultural procession protests CAA, 'black laws'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 29 2019: A day after BJP Khangabok Mandal organised a pro-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rally with Chief Minister N Biren Singh leading the march at Khangabok, many youths came out on the street and took out a 'cultural proce-ssion' against the Citizenship Act and 'black laws,' including AFSPA today.

The 'cultural procession' which began from Lai-khulembi Community Hall, Khurai Sajor Leikai was supposed to march till Kangla Fort but was stop-ped by police at Lamlong Bazar from proceeding further.

After exchanging heated arguments with the police personnel, the protesters returned to Laikhulembi Community Hall via Imphal - Pangei Road and Khurai Salanthong link road.

Cultural procession protests CAA, 'black laws'

Torch bearers, Langden (traditional drum) drummers, Pena (string instru- ment) and Senbung (gong) instrumentalists led the procession and demanded repeal of CAA, AFSPA and all black laws from the entire North-East.

Apart from wearing shirts with labels that read "Our Land, Our Rights", "Our Culture, Our Identity", "Indigenous Peoples are not Sacrificial Goat" etc, the youths also raised various slogans- Houro Houro Yahouro, Yelhoumee Kallase and Amuba Wayel Pathaptagi Cheksin Phirep Lourase to wake the indigenous people of the State.

Speaking on the sideline of the cultural procession, a woman who identified herself as Phajaton claimed that indigenous people of the North-East including Manipur have strong apprehension that CAA will have devastating impact on the indigenous people of the entire North East.

As States which already have Inner Line Permit system are standing up against the Act, she said there is serious doubt that ILP alone will be enough to protect the State against the Act which would have impact on India's polity, economy and security.

"Even if ILPS protects the State's demography, it will not be enough to protect the people from the outcomes that will arise out of the Act.

When India at present is facing unemployment problems with weak economy, the Act would add more to these sufferings with lakhs of illegal immigrants becoming Indian citizens.

And this would affect the North-East including Manipur and its people whether we have ILPS or not," Phajaton said.

She further added that youths in the State will continue to hold non-violent protests in democratic ways until their voices are heard by the Govt.Maintaining that the identity, culture, tradition and political rights of the indigenous people of the State cannot be compromised for the sake of some people who want to stay in power and play vote banks with the fate of the people, the youth urged the Centre to repeal the CAA and scrap all 'black laws' from the entire country.