'Clear highways directive must be honoured'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 03 2025: The All Manipur Nupi Marup has asserted that Union Home Minister Amit Shah must ensure that his instruction to ensure free movement of all sections of people on all National Highways and other roads in Manipur from March 8, 2025 is fulfilled.

Amit Shah must see that his instruction is translated into action as a gift of International Women's Day to the women of Manipur, the Nupi Marup said.

Speaking to The Sangai Express ahead of the International Women's Day (March 8), All Manipur Nupi Marup president Maisnam Shakhi said that all preparations are in place for observing the International Women's Day 2025 .

Saying that this year's theme is "For all Women and Girls: Rights.

Equality.

Empowerment", Sha- khi conveyed best wishes to all the women of Manipur.

"On the occasion of the International Women's Day, I would like to point out that a large number of Manipuri women, particularly Meira Paibis have been deprived of proper sleep and rest since May 3, 2023 on account of the protracted violent crisis', she said.

A large number of innocent people including men, women, infants and aged have been killed in a series of attacks carried out by armed Kukis at foothill and peripheral areas and thousands of Meitei houses have been razed to the ground.

Tens of thousands of people are still living a wretched life at relief camps.

In the meantime, there have been several cases of internally displaced persons committing suicide, Shakhi said.

Welcoming the instruction given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to top civil and military officials at a high level meeting held at Delhi recently to ensure free movement of all sections of people on National Highways and other roads in Manipur from March 8, she urged the Union Home Minister to see that his instruction is translated into action without fail.

In case Meiteis come under attack from Kukis when they start moving on National Highways, the Government of India should bear responsibility, the All Manipur Nupi Marup president said.

Till date, Meiteis don't feel secure to travel on National Highways as peace has not been restored fully, she said.

She further urged the Union Home Minister to protect Meitei people and take up durable measures towards this end as a gift of International Women's Day to the Manipuri women.

It will be unfair and unacceptable if the PR Government's initiative of disarming youth is limited to the Meiteis and very little is done to disarm the Kukis, Shakhi said.

Urging the Government of India not to be partial, she asserted impartiality is paramount in any peace initiative.

Even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to free all women of the country from the smoke of firewood, LPG is not available to a large number of households in Manipur, she said.

She further urged the Prime Minister to protect all womenfolk from all types of harassment, oppression and exploitation as the country is observing the International Women's Day.

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