MTU-WW underscores urgent need for unity, collective efforts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 28 2024: While reminding about the responsibility taken by women throughout history at the time of conflicts, uprising and other historic occasions of the world, the women's wing of Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union has appealed to all the Ningols (unmarried women) of Manipur to take a concrete resolution to face the on-slaught of Kukis and safe- guard the State at their best capacity.

In a statement by its women wing convenor Thokchom Rupanjali, the union said that the indigenous Meiteis have been facing a difficult war on multiple fronts and as such unity of Meeteis is paramount to protect the legacy of Manipur and keep the State intact.

Saying that the contribution of Meitei Ningols and students during this conflict is notable and would remain historic, the union said that a collective effort of all Meiteis is essential to stop the Kuki -Zo aggression and secure the future of the ethnic group.

The union claimed that the Kuki-Zo people have been carrying out a violent campaign against the Mei-teis to snatch land and resources which don't belong to them using different means.

While reminding the role played by Vietnamese wo-men in America-Vietnam war which lasted for about 25 years, the contribution of Chinese women in Chinese revolution of 1949, the movement taken up by Russian women in the Russian Revolution of 1917 under the slogan "Bread and Peace" and the campaign carried out by Palestine women against the colonial British in 1900, among other movements of women, the union stated that the footprint of women in revolu- tionary movements and in demanding equal rights of people was immense throughout the history of the world.

Continuing that the Meiteis have been facing existential crisis due to rampant illegal immigration of Myanmar Nationals to the State and considering the size of Indian population, the union added that every Meitei must come out and join the movement to safeguard the ethnic group.

The inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list is indispensable for the ethnic group to survive, it said while seeking support from every Meitei to take forward the movement.

The union also said that Kuki refugees who have been wrongly identified as ST must be removed from the ST list of the Constitution.

Saying that the protracted violence has taken a heavy toll on every Manipuri, the union appealed to the Centre and Government of Manipur to not collect taxes and loan repayment from Manipuris for the year.

It went on to state that many students and business establishments who have taken loans have developed mental problems and suicidal motive due to the pressure given by the banks to make loan repayment amid the crisis in Manipur.

Continuing that many business establishments are on the brink of closure due to the devastating impact of Covid pandemic and the current crisis , the union said that many private employees have also lost jobs as the job providers could no longer pay them.

It said that the union has written to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Union Finance Minister, Governor and the Chief Minister to give tax relief to the people.

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