Women vendors set record straight
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 27 2026: Vendors of Khwairamband Ima Keithel have categorically denied any involvement in the assault on DESAM former president Mayengbam Somorjit which took place amid COCOMI's April 25 public rally.

Stating that the assault was carried out by "hired hands", five Khwairamband Keithel vendors' organisations have demanded a clarification from the culprits.

Khwairamband Keithel vendors had taken part in the April 25 rally after staging a sit-in protest at the marketplace.

Speaking to the media today at Khwairamband Ima Leimarel Sidabi Keithel No 1, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham Amasung Saktam Kanba Lup president Ksh Shanti expressed grief over the accusation that "Ima Keithel mothers" who are supposed to protect students and volunteers have laid hands on one of them".

Alleging that a woman started the assault, Ksh Shanti demanded a clarification from her to explain why Somorjit was beaten up on the day.

When women of Ima Keithel tried to stop the altercation, individuals from the woman's side were seen calling and waiting for their "crew", as can be seen on CCTV footage, claimed Ksh Shanti.

Recalling similar controversies involving COCOMI in the past, she said as women and mothers, when their children quarrel it is their job to put a stop to the disagreement and discern who is in the right/wrong.

However, people with masks and caps with their eyes hidden, now presumed to be "hired hands" aiming to disrupt the peace rally, were seen on the day.

According to Ksh Shanti, they were not suspicious of these individuals and were under the assumption that they were merely taking precautions against tear gas.

During such a critical time when children sleeping in their beds are being killed, it is irrational for the Meitei community to turn on each other.

Those who disrupted the public rally are more dangerous than the Kukis, she added.

Speaking about the former DESAM president, she said his elder brother was killed by Kuki militants during the crisis.

Somorjit is currently taking care of his deceased brother's two children.

The accusation that Ima Keithel vendors assaulted a man who is deeply involved in public welfare activities is very disheartening.

We believe the physical assault was perpetrated by miscreants hired for Rs 500/ 600 and bribed with alcohol with a set goal to upset the rally and cause chaos, said Ksh Shanti.

She further claimed that they saw this group of people approaching from Samumakhong side towards Khwairamband Keithel.

The same can easily be verified from CCTV footage.

But the incident has been portrayed as being connected with the Ima Keithel vendors, she lamented.

Citing past cases where COCOMI members were defamed, she expressed suspicions that a certain "gang" might have been behind those incidents, similarly to the present April 25 case.

She demanded an immediate end to such activities which seeks to disgrace COCOMI and Ima Keithel.

Urging the public to introspect, she said adversaries may try to take advantage of such displays of disunity within the community.

On another note, she denounced the spread of propaganda about bribes being taken, adding that this is the third time COCOMI has been slandered.

Seeking a clarification from the "hired" perpetrators, she appealed against efforts to depict Ima Keithel in a poor light.

Similar demands for clarifications have been raised by Nongchup Imphal Palem Ima Apunba Lup (NIMPAL), Apunba Manipur Ema Lup and United Women's Development Organisation (UWDO).

During a press briefing at their Nagamapal office, NIMPAL secretary general Soraisam Shanti said that the April 25 rally was a peace rally and the same was previously informed to people in various nook and comer of the State.

After COCOMI representatives submitted the 7-point memorandum at the CM's Office, they addressed the public in front of Kangla, she said.

As the memorandum had been handed already over, they took their leave after communicating the same.

Suddenly chaos erupted with claims that COCOMI had taken a bribe accompanied with other allegations.

Those attempting to defame COCOMI are enemies of society, she declared.

Condemning the assault on the former president of DESAM, she said it was a life attempt on Somorjit carried out by some "hired hands" .

Saying that two other women who tried to stop the thrashing were also assaulted in the process, she further denounced the incident.

Demanding a clarification from the perpetrators, she made an appeal to stop defamatory attacks on Ima Keithel.

Meanwhile, at Manipur Press Club, Apunba Manipur Ema Lup has demanded an apology for the assault on Mayengbam Somorjit and alleged use of foul language on some women during the incident.

Spokesperson P Ranibala expressed suspicion about the involvement of certain vested interests in the assault on the former president of DESAM .

At their Ningthoukhong office, UWDO president Nepram Bimola urged the Government to assist in facilitating a clarification from the "women who planned the assault" under the guise of being faithful Ima Keithel mothers.

Condemning the assault, she called it a ploy by a certain group to misdirect the people's movement to save Manipur.

Describing Somoijit as a sincere student leader, she said UWDO knows the "fake mothers" involved in the incident and demanded a clarification before the organisation starts actively looking for them.

She also said the State Government should ensure that the culprits issue an explanation before the public.

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