Ikou Ningols decide to forgo Ningol Chakkouba
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 26 2024: Lost everything to the current conflict, Ningols (women) of Ikou have decided to forgo Ningol Chakkouba festival this year.

However as much as they like to celebrate Ningol Chakkouba festival, at Sajiwa Relief Camp, they have decided not to join the festival, yet again.

"We want to celebrate Ningol Chakkouba at our homes.

Allow us to return to our homes before the Ningol Chakkouba next year," the Ningols pleaded with the Chief Minister.

At Sajiwa Relief Camp, the Ningols staged a sit-in protest demonstration today.

During the protest demonstration, Takhellambam Ibeyaima said the people of Ikou have been staying at the camp since last year after the violent conflict between Kukis and Meiteis erupted on May 3, 2023 .

She said the Ningols at the internally displaced people's camp will not join the Ningol Chakkouba festival this year.

She said the people of Ikou want to return to their homes instead.

"We have been pushed out of our homes.

Our homes have been burnt to ashes.

We can't celebrate and join the festival when we have lost our homes, our lives," Ibeyaima said.

The Ningols of Ikou did not celebrate the Ningol Chakkouba festival last year.

"We did not celebrate the Ningol Chakkouba festival last year.

We are not joining the festival this year also.

We want to return to our homes instead," Ibeyaima said.

She, however, said the women at the camp appreciate generous people who have invited them to Ningol Chakkouba.

"After we lost everything to the conflict, we took shelter at this camp.

Generous people have donated food and clothes for us.

But, this isn't living.

Wearing what, shall we go and join Ningol Chakkouba?" she asked.

Ibeyaima firmly said the Ningols of Ikou will join the Ningol Chakkouba festival when they return to their homes.

"We aren't joining the festival this year, however, we want to celebrate it next year and visit our brothers next year.

The Government must allow us to return to our homes before the Ningol Chakkouba next year," Ibeyaima said, pleading with the Chief Minister to fulfil the wishes of the Ningols.

Mutum Bijeta from Ikou too pleaded with the Chief Minister to grant their wishes and allow them to return to their village.

Bijeta said the May 3, 2023 violence broke out just days after she got married.

She hails from Sadu Yengkhoman and she is married to a man from Ikou.

Bijeta said she has not had her Mangani Chakkouba and never celebrated Ningol Chakkouba.

Mangani Chakkouba is a feast that is usually organised at the bride's residence on the 5th day of a marriage.

"The violence broke out before our Mangani Chakkouba.

And, last year was supposed to be my first Ningol Chakkouba as a married woman.

Sadly, like others, I couldn't join it due to the conflict," Bijeta said.

She also pleaded with the Chief Minister to grant her wishes and allow her and Ningols of Ikou to return to their homes before Ningol Chakkouba next year.

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