Black September: Floral tributes paid to slain martyrs
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, September 03 2023:
In support of Phambei's declaration to observe the period from September 3 to 21 as 'Black September', the Salungpham Apunba Meira Paibi Lup offered a floral tribute to the martyrs of Manipur violence today.
The ceremony was held at Salungpham Mamang Leikai Panthoibi Bazar and a sit-in protest was also staged at the same venue.
Speaking on the occasion, Thingbaijam Nganbiton, president, Salungpham Apunba Meira Paibi Lup lambasted Chief Minister N Biren Singh for betraying the people and frequently changing his tune.
Alleging the Chief Minister of suppressing the Meiteis and disregarding the pain of the people who have been suffering for four months, she asserted that this will mark the end of the Chief Minister's 'politics' .
Khangabok Joint Coordinating Committee, which is composed of many meira paibi organisations and local clubs also hoisted a black flag and observed the first day of Black September as a 'black day'.
Floral tributes were also offered to the slain martyrs.
Separately, a large number of womenfolk took out a sit-in protest at Umathel under Sugnu Assembly Constituency demanding a peaceful resolution of the ongoing violence 'launched by narco terrorists' in the State.
The protestors wielded placards with messages such as 'Down with narco terrorism', 'Down with Kuki Drug Mafia', 'Go back Assam Rifles', 'No political right to illegal immigrants', 'Save Manipur integrity' etc among others.
During the protest, an unnamed protestor condemned the legal notice served to Maheshwar Thounaojam by the Assam Rifles.
She also demanded the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the State while adding that Central forces who have a biased attitude should be pulled out.