Won't allow arrest of village volunteers: Meira Paibi Lups
Source: The Sangai Express/Thoubal

Imphal, June 23 2024: Meira Paibi groups have categorically stated that they would never allow arrest of village volunteers who have been fighting to protect Manipur from the aggression of Kuki militants.

A protest demonstration was staged today at DM College Gate, Thangmeiband under the aegis of the Thangmeiband Apunba Meira Paibi.

Speaking to media persons by the sidelines of the protest demonstration, Ema Khunthokhanbi Meira Paibi, DM College Gate, Thangmeiband general secretary Phuritsabam Bina called to the State authorities to stop all attempts to arrest village defence volunteers by invoking different Acts and laws.

Any order issued to arrest the village volunteers must be revoked immediately.

Meira Paibis would not remain silent to any such order.

The authorities must know that all mothers are standing firmly for the village volunteers, Bina said.

She asked both the Centre and the State Government if they are conspiring to let Kukis slaughter the entire Meitei population after putting all the village volunteers behind bars.

Since the Kuki-Zo militants launched their premeditated aggression on May 3, 2023, all the people have been reeling under extreme misery but the Government has shown little sympathy or solidarity as if there is no Government at all.

As such, it is up to the people to fight the aggressors, she asserted.

She went on to question if the large number of Central forces sent to the State are here to contain the violence or take sides of the Kukis.

The Meira Paibi activist also expressed strong objection against the Government's plan to station additional Central forces at different locations.

Alleging that the Central forces have not been doing their duties in neutral manner, she urged the Government to withdraw the Central forces from Manipur.

"We are ready to face the aggressors without any help and interference from the Government", Bina said. Saying that it was the Government's failure to protect innocent civilians which forced the youth to take up arms, she asserted that all mothers and Meira Paibis would stand firmly for the village volunteers.

The protesters used placards which read as "We object registration of FIRs against village volunteers", "CSOs, unite" etc.

A similar protest demonstration was also staged at Wangjing Keithel, Thoubal today.

The protesters made it clear that any attempt to file chargesheet against Arambai Tenggol leader Korounganba Khuman would be opposed tooth and nail.

Speaking to the media, Sorokhaibam Sundari Leima said that no one who volunteered to protect Manipur from the Kuki aggression should be subjected to any form of harassment at the hands of Central forces.

Violence in Manipur, since May 3, 2023, has killed over 220 people and displaced more than 60,000 .

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