Mass sit-in protests staged across valley
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 17 2023: In response to the clarion call of Coordinat-ing Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) Mani-pur, sit-in protests were staged across the valley on Wednesday.

During the sit-ins, the protestors asserted that the ongoing clashes have nothing to do with the ST demand, but rather a con-spiracy for demanding sep-arate administration of the Kuki tribe, continuing with poppy plantation and set-tlement in reserved forest areas.

They further ques-tioned the conflict spreading in Moreh but calm in other districts, burning down of forest offices and involve-ment of Kuki militants in the tribal solidarity march of May 3 in Churachandpur district, while condemning the separate administration demand of the 10 MLAs.

Mass sit-in protests staged across valley

The protestors also demanded the resignation of MLAs who are unable and unwilling to save the innocent civilians from the Kuki militants.

The protestors also held placards and shouted slogans such as "No political rights to illegal immigrants", "GOI should control Kuki SoO Militants", "Stop attacking villagers by Kuki Militants", "Stop inhumane economic blockade", "Stop influx of Myanmarese", -"Save in-digenous people from im-migrants", "Save Manipur forests", "Down with Nar-co terrorism", "Down with Separatist Legislature", "Go Back Chin-Kuki Separatist Foreigner", "Save Manipur Integrity", "GO!, Don't Play Divisive Policy", "GOI, Don't remain as silent spectator", "No Golden triangle in Ma-nipur", "No Separate Ad-ministration at any cost", "Immediate NRC, Need of the Hour", etc.

PCC Club, Kwakeithel Mayai Koibi in collaboration with Mayai Koibi Nupi Lup, Mayai Koibi Awang Leikai, Mamang Leikai and Makha Leikai Nupi Lup also staged sit-in protest at Mayai Koibi; Kwakeithel Apunba Nupi Lup and vendors at Kwakeithel Keithel; Youth Council Ma-nipur, Kwakeithel Kongjeng Leikai and Meira Paibi at the Club's premises; Citizens Club and Soibam Leikai Mei-ra Paibi at the community hall of Citizens Club, Khurai Soibam Leikai on Wednes-day.

Khwaramband Keithel Nupi Marup also led the ven-dors of the three Ima mar-kets in staging a protest on Wednesday.

Shops in Paona Bazar closed down for the day and participated in the protest.

Vendors of Sing-jamei Keithel and Kongba Keithel also staged protests in their respective markets.

NEMYODA and Nepra Menjor Pukhri Mapal Wom-en's Voluntary Association staged a sit-in protest at Sa-golband Nepra Menjor Leikai community hall; Sagolband Moirang Leirak Women As-sociation, YSSU, SAKAL and Nepra Menjor Mamang Leikai Meira Paibi at Nepra Menjor Mamang Leikai; Kodompok-pi Mamang Leikai Apunba Meira Paibi at Kodompok-pi; Young Friends' Union at Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai; The Takyel Khong-bal Chaokhat Thourang Nupi Marup at Naoremthong Khu-manthem Leikai; Harikhagok Makhong Apunba Meira Paibi at Brahmapur Harikhagok Makhong; The Youth Devel-opment Centre Club, Litan Makhong Youth Club, Pan-thoibi Youth Club, Irilbng Li-brary Union, Keirao Khunou Youth Development Organ-isation, Nongpok Ningthou Development Committee and Keirao Bitra Meira Paibi Lup at Nongtpokningthou Panthoiba Haraobung Kei-rao Bitra; Chingamakha Apunba Nupi Meira Lup at Chingamakha Kshetri Leikai Awang Khongnang Mak-hong; Peace & Relief Com-mittee, Top Siphai, Yumnam Huidrom and Thiyam Leis-hangkhong at Thongkhong Keithel; and Haoreibi Apun-ba Lup (HAL) at Haoreibi Kangjeibung Achouba on Wednesday.

Similar sit-ins were staged in Thoubal by Chaokhat Khongthang Nupi Marup Heirok at Heirok Part -II Mayai Leikai and Meira Paibi groups of Tentha Khunou and Marongban at Ema Panthoibi community hall in Tentha Marongban on Wednesday.

In Kakching, Meira Paibi of Mayeng Lamjao Awang Leikai, Mayai Leikai and Makha Leikai staged the pro-test at Mayeng Lamjao Mayai Leikai community hall.