Anti-Repression Day; Role of Manipuri women treasured
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 15 2023: Observation Committee Anti-Repres-sion Day 2023 observed Anti-Repression Day at Manipur Press Club on Saturday.

Committee chairperson Khagembam Anandi; All Manipur Tammi Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup president Yambem (o) Momon and United People's Front Manipur advisor Laishangbam Jadu attended the observance as presidium members.

Speaking on the occasion, AMKIL general secretary Ng Prabhabati recounted the alleged rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama by Assam Rifles on July 10, 2004 and the subsequent nude protests by 12 mothers on July 15 the same year, against any form of sexual violence or crime on women.

The 12 mothers, although three are deceased, deserve our highest respect, she said, while praying for the departed souls.

Prabhabati further recalled the people's call for repealing AFSPA, 1958 from Manipur, which was later put on review and the Jeevan Reddy Committee team arrived at Imphal for the same.

In November, 2004, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived at Imphal and the then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi removed the Assam Rifles from Kangla Fort, after for over 85 years.

Shortly after, AFSPA was repealed from seven constituencies.

Thus, the nude protest of the mothers, which shaped the future of the society and its upcoming generations, should be discussed and understood by all, she added.

Meanwhile, Kuki militants have been perpetrating violence against the Meitei community Since the May 3 clashes, which began in Chura-chandpur and Moreh, and are still continuing to this day.

Apart from this, life in the peripheral areas has been severely affected.

However, the government is continuing to stand by and watch the Kuki militants wreak havoc and attack the civilians, as if it (government) does not have the power to control the militants.

This, in turn, has led to the deaths of many innocent civilians, while many others have been injured.

The government needs to deploy adequate security to protect the people and properties from the violence, which is caused by its (government) carelessness.

An example of this is the deployment of security forces to protect Kukis in peaceful areas instead of deploying them at the epicentre of the clashes, the AMKIL general secretary remarked.

Prabhabati continued that this failure on the part of the government has now resulted in tense and violent situations in most areas of the state, with the number of fatalities on the rise.

The people of Manipur can never agree to the demand of the ten Kuki MLAs, who were elected with the support of Kuki militants and with the revenue earned from mass plantation of poppies in Protected and Reserved Forest areas, to break apart the integrity of Manipur and create a separate administration.

Questioning if the central and state governments could be considered as responsible governments, she further questioned if the central government is planning to grant separate administration to the Kukis.

To prevent this scenario, she stressed the need for driving out the illegal immigrants from Protected and Reserved Forest areas; preventing creation of a one-community based separate administration; defending against narco-terrorists to ensure a drug-free Manipur; withdrawal of SoO from Manipur; deployment of state forces in peripheral areas; ensure safe return of the displaced people under strict security and providing them appropriate compensation; and for the government to see to the implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur so as deport the illegal immigrants to their respective original places.

During the observance, a one-minute silence was observed as a mark of the respect to the deceased three mothers.

Later, the remaining nine mothers were honoured with presentation of simple gifts.

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