'Stop violence against women' echoes on Nupi Lan Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 12 2011: With a call to stop harassment and exploitation of women, the 72nd anniversary of Nupi Lan was observed here today at THAU Ground.

The Nupi Lan commemorative function was jointly organised by AMAWOVA, Poirei Leimarol, MEPWAK, AMKIL, Kanglamei, CHITUWA and WACAK.

The function was graced by Irabot Foundation president Th Iboyaima, AMKIL president Phanjoubam Shakhi, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Lup Manipur president Longjam Memchoubi, Kanglamei president Yumnam Leirik Leima and WACAK president Soubam Ibetombi as presidium members.

Giving key-note address of the function, convenor of the 72nd December 12 Memorial Observation Committee Chongtham (O) Usharani said that words cannot describe the valour and spirit of the Manipuri who fought the Nupi Lan of 1939 .

Both the Nupi Lans were waged against colonial exploitation, forced labour and artificial food grain scarcity.

Even if one says that a democratic form of Government has been established in Manipur after the lapse of the colonial period, it remains a big question if the people of Manipur are enjoying real freedom and dignity.

Manipuri women have been struggling incessantly since 1980's for the people who are yet to enjoy freedom in the real sense of the term.

Whereas Sharmila has been fasting against draconian AFSPA for the last 11 years, the Government of Manipur has extended Disturbed Area Act for another year.

Real democracy and freedom have not been entitled to the people of Manipur till date, Usharani asserted.

Manipuri women who constitute half of these oppressed population are being murdered by their own husbands and family members.

Rule of law seem to be empty words in Manipur.

Observing that governance has gone above law, Usharani asserted that it's time to teach a befitting lesson to all those people who have been bargaining with money the modest of women belonging to impoverished families.

Bablu Loitongbam of Human Rights Alert asserted that the Government of India has been violating rights of its own citizens by imposing AFSPA in Manipur for a protracted period.

Saying that Manipur was kept out of the ambit of the Government of India's five year plans for about 30/40 years after it was forcibly merged into the Indian Union, Bablu asserted that the Government of India, in the meantime, systematically uprooted and destroyed all the productive forces and secondary economy of Manipur.

By and by, Manipur has been rendered fully dependent on India whereas the Government of India has forfeited all the universal rights entitled to the people of Manipur, said Bablu.

AMUCO advisor Ito Tongbram, while recalling that the Nupi Lan of 1939 was waged against of export of rice from Manipur, lamented that people feel like they cannot survive when National Highways are blockaded.

"We should cultivate self-confidence that we can live even if highways are blockaded throughout the year.

The hidden agenda behind economic blockades is creation of animosity amongst ourselves", Ito said.

Senior citizen Arambam Lokendra stated that development does not necessary mean only material development.

The real development is when citizens can live with dignity and get opportunities for exposure and growth of their talents and capacities, he explained.

The Nupi Lan Day was also observed at Nongchup Kameng Laibung community hall under the aegis of Leimarol Lamjingkol and also at Laipham Khunou under the joint aegis of Panthoibi Women's Society Laipham Khunou and Apunba Nupi Lup Laipham Khunou Makha Leikai.

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