Womenfolk call out 'biased' AR
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 28 2024: Even as the Central Government must be "taught a lesson" for its "bias" approach, the State Government must stop dancing to the tunes of the Centre and shun its "Ji Ji" culture, said Laishram Mema, co-convenor of the Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee for Peace during a protest demonstration staged at Hao Ground, Pishum, Imphal West today.

The protest demonstration was jointly organised by the Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee for Peace, Imagi Meira and the Women Wing Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee.

The protesters demanded swift removal of the Assam Rifles from Manipur, and urged the Government of India to take into account the sentiments of the people and "stop taking sides" .

Speaking to reporters, Laishram Mema said the ruling Ministers and the MLAs are doing only lip-service and claiming peace has returned when thousands of displaced people are still languishing in relief camps unable to return to their villages.

"The ruling Ministers and MLAs are claiming that Shanti [peace] has returned.

Is it Nongthombam Shanti or Thongam Shanti who has returned?" Mema asked, mocking the Government over its "absurd" claim.

The violent Manipur conflict erupted on May 3, 2023 after protesters taking part in ATSUM's "Solidarity March" turned violent in the border area adjoining Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts.

Even after nearly 15 months, the State Government and the Government of India have failed to end the crisis and bring peace in Manipur, she said.

Mema accused the Government of India and its Central security forces, particularly the Assam Rifles of taking sides with the Kuki militants.

She recalled the naked protest staged by women in front of the Kangla Gate against AFSPA and Assam Rifles on July 15, 2004, and said the current crisis will never end until the Centre and the Central security forces shun their biased approach and enforce the rule of law uniformly throughout the State.

Mema said the State Govt and the Centre must enforce the rule of law and crack down on Kuki militants who have burnt houses and killed civilians in indiscriminate attacks.

The conflict that has engulfed the State was avoidable, she said.

Had the Assam Rifles, which have a large presence in the State, acted swiftly and protected Meitei settlements, the crisis would never have happened, she said.

Mema alleged that the AR did nothing when Meitei settlements in their areas were attacked and burnt by Kuki militants.

It is their utter failure and biased attitude that has led people to call it out and demand their removal from the State, she said.

It is highly suspicious if the AR has alleged nexus with Kuki militants and poppy growers, she said.

She further asserted that it was the complete failure of the State Government and the Centre that forced youths to take up arms and defend their families and villages.

If it wasn't for the failure of the Government, they could have been in schools and colleges pursuing their careers.

They were forced to take up arms to defend Manipur from those who seek to destroy and disintegrate her.

Security forces in Manipur cannot and must not harm them in any manner, Mema said.

The State Govt and the Centre must understand the sentiments of the people and act accordingly.

Most importantly, the Centre must not take the side of those who seek to destroy Manipur, she said.

Mema also called on all the women to play bigger roles in resolving the crisis.

She said it is time the mothers in Manipur teach Delhi "a lesson" .

Imagi Meira convenor Th Sujata accused the Assam Rifles of designating certain areas in Manipur as Kuki areas, and said the State Govt's inability to take any action against the Assam Rifles is very unfortunate.

While the State Government had earlier stated that the Assam Rifles may be replaced by other Central security forces as border guards, it has not been materialised yet, she said.

The Meiteis are still unable to go beyond a few districts in the valley.

This is not a sign of peace returning in Manipur, Sujata said.

She urged legislators to discuss the roles and relevance of the AR during the coming State Assembly Session.

Women Wing Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee's Lamabam Ushakiran said the sit-in demonstration was an extension of the protest held in Jantar Mantar, Delhi today.

The protest was organised urging the Centre to "stop taking sides" and remove the AR from Manipur, she said.

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