Emoinu fish fair aborted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 20 2024: A bid to hold Emoinu Fish Mela amid the restive situation in Mani-pur has come to an end following a protest by a score of people.

Reportedly, womenfolk from Palace Compound and its adjacent places and members of the JAC against the brutal killing of Takhel-lambam Manoranjan Singh stormed Hapta Kangjeibung while erection of stalls for the fish mela was under-way, today.

The fish mela which was supposed to be held on January 22 by the Fisheries Department has been cancelled and an official order has been issued in this regard following the protest.

The protesters marched toward Hapta Kangjeibung by chanting slogans that holding the Fish Mela at a time when thousands of people have lost their houses and got displaced apart from all forms of hostility and killing taking place in Manipur would be illogical.

They demanded that the fish mela should not be held under any circumstances.

To prevent the protesters from getting inside the venue, security personnel posted in the area locked the main gate of Hapta Kengjeibung from inside.

The womenfolk, however, forced themselves inside Hapta Kangjeibung after breaking the lock.

Once inside the venue, the protesters argued that the Emoinu can be worshipped in a low key manner by offering some flowers and candles too and offering fish is not a compulsion.

They also said that they are in no mood to hold any festivity as Meitei people have been enduring an unprecedented crisis and suffering following the onslaught of Kukis on Meiteis since May 3.The protesters didn't vacate the venue even after the police attempted to disperse them by stating that they wanted to meet the officials of the Fisheries Department.

Through the police, a top official of the Fisheries Department conveyed to the womenfolk that they will cancel the fish mela as people are against it.

The official said that they planned to hold the fish mela only in the interest of the people given the significance of the Emoinu Festival.

One of the protesters, Yumnam Ibeyaima asked how they can celebrate Emoinu or any other festivals when dozens of Meiteis have been killed by Kuki militants and their associates.

Meiteis are not in the mood to hold any festivity or enjoy delicious meals as the figure of deaths of Meitei people only keeps on increasing, she added.

How can a mother spend her day enjoying a scrumptious meal when her children are dying one after another , she asked.

A member of the JAC, on the other hand, said Manoranjan was murdered in the most horrible way and his tongue was found sliced off while his body was riddled with bullet holes.

Saying that Manoranjan left behind a son of four years, he asked if the State Government wants the number of widows to be increased in Manipur.

What does peace mean to the Government, is it the end of violence or otherwise, he asked and added that the State Government has failed in every aspect and doesn't have the strength to face the Kuki narco-terrorists.

Saying that the Ministers and MLAs may hold the fish mela at their respective places and enjoy delicious meals with their families when Manipur is burning, he added that civilians, however, will not partake in it.

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