Human chain resonates with NRC call

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 11: A large number of womenfolk led by Meira Paibis formed a human chain from Koirengei junction to Leikinthabi Shantipur today  demanding implementation of NRC in Manipur, abrogation of SoO with Kuki militants and protection of the State’s territorial integrity.
Speaking to media persons in connection with the protest demonstration, Koirengei Wangma Development Committee president Phijam Priyokumar said that the ‘human chain protest’ was  organised in denunciation of the repeated attacks on Meitei villages, burning down of thousands of houses and the carnage unleashed by the Kuki militants.  
The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been acting blind and mute to the 38 days old violent crisis only exposes his discriminatory attitude, he said.
Maintaining that the protest demonstration was something demanded by the prevailing situation, Priyokumar pointed out that there is a designated camp of Kuki militants under SoO  on the hill located very close to Leikinthabi Shantipur.
Apart from local Kuki militants, a large number of heavily armed militants from the neighbouring country are also accommodated at the camp, and the combined force of Kuki militants under SoO and Kuki militants who came from the neighbouring country have attacked several nearby Meitei villages repeatedly, he said.
An 80 year old man of Chirik Loitong was abducted by Kuki militants but timely action by the Imphal West SP rescued him from the jaws of death, Priyokumar said.
After this incident, Kuki militants torched several houses of Nongthonband which is a neighbouring village of Leikinthabi Shantipur.
Now everybody knows that the Kuki militants have been blatantly violating SoO ground rules. As such, the Central Government ought to abrogate SoO and ensure that there is peace and normalcy all across Manipur, he said.
A similar human chain was formed by the Meira Paibis of Maharabi on the Tendongyang-Sekmai section of Imphal-Dimapur highway.
Reiterating that the integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable, the protesters shouted several slogans like, “Implement NRC in Manipur”, “Abrogate SoO with Kuki militants” and “Restore peace in Manipur”.
Maharabi Meira Paibi secretary Thangjam Ranjita Leima said that people of all the surrounding Meitei villages are terrified as the Kuki militants supported by illegal immigrants have been continuously attacking Meitei villages, killing people and committing all kinds of atrocities.
She then urged the Government to initiate necessary steps so as to bring a solution at the earliest.
On the other hand, Tendongyan Apunba Meira Paibi and Village Development Organisation staged a sit-in-protest at Tendongyan demanding punishment of Kuki militants who have been openly violating SoO ground rules by opening indiscriminate fire upon Meitei villagers and setting hundreds of houses on fire.
The protesters also shouted many slogans like, “Integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable”, “Abrogate SoO with Kuki militants”, “Withdraw Assam Rifles from Manipur”, and “Implement NRC in Manipur” etc.
The gathering also observed two minute silence  as a mark of respect to all the victims of the violent crisis.