Manipur observes one year of conflict paying tributes, staging protests

Imphal: The ethnic violence in Manipur which has taken more than 200 lives and displaced more than 60000 people has exactly completed one year on May 3, 2024. With the completion of one-year Civil Society Organisations led by the people and internally displaced people in both valley and hills observed May 3rd One Year Remembrance by holding rallies, public conventions, tribute paying ceremonies and staging sit in protest demanding peace in the state.

First of a kind in the state, seven Meitei women shaved off their hair to show their sorrow, grief to the victims of the ethnic violence. The women also express their disappointment to the BJP led government both in the centre and in the state for their failure to bring an amicable solution to the ongoing violence.

The women after shaving off their hair took out a cycle rally on the theme “Seeking Protection of Indigenous People & Territorial Integrity of Manipur ''. The cycle rally which began from Awang Sekmai, a red zone area located near Kangpokpi district cycled along the National Highway 2, Imphal Dimapur road and reached Kangla in Imphal, with people supporting their cause alongside the road cheered them by chanting slogans "we want peace, end the violence".

In valley areas several Meitei organisations, clubs, meira paibi association paid tributes to the departed souls of the Meiteis who died during the yearlong violence. Internally displaced Meiteis who are taking shelter in different relief camps and prefabricated houses also observed Indigenous Awakening day and staged sit-in protests demanding the government both the centre and state to bring an end to the violence.

Various Meetei Organisations worldwide also organised a Global solidarity event in the form of protest with the theme  “1-year Today —Manipur in Mourning—Call for Justice”.

Meitei Diasporas in Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Middle East, California, Australia and London also took out protests to mark completion of One year of violence and unrest in the State.

An event was also held at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, marking the completion of 1 year of Manipur violence. During the event organised by Meiteis living in Delhi, demanded delivery of swift justice to the victims of the conflict, and also a long lasting solution for the crisis.

Maintaining that Meitei community are the victims of Chin Kuki’s aspiration of Zalengam, a separate homeland, protesters highlighted that the root cause of Manipur crisis is the nefarious trifecta of illegal immigration; poppy plantations for illicit drug trade and armed Chin Kuki militancy.

While on the other hand, the Committee on Tribal Unity, Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District organised One Year Remembrance Day with the theme Separation Day at Martyr Cemetery, Phaijang in Kangpokpi.

The committee leaders led the people of Kangpokpi in offering flowers and Gun salute was also given by Kuki volunteers as a mark of respect to the departed souls who died during the violence.

Spokesperson of the committee, NG. Lun Kipgen said as the government both in the centre and in the state had turned blind eye towards the crisis, the Committee is constrained to emphasize this observance to mark their legitimate demand for Separate Administration.

The Kuki community, spearheaded by Indigenous Tribal Leaders Form also observed Awakening Day in Kuki dominated areas in Churachandpur, Pherzawl and Chandel, as Manipur violence completes one year. People paid floral tribute to the departed members at the final resting place situated in Sehken village in Churachandpur. Candle light vigil was also held at the Wall of Remembrance.

The Co-ordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) , a conglomerate of different CSOs, marked the day as ‘365 days of Chin Kuki Narco Terrorist Aggression in Manipur’ by organising a public meeting

During the public meeting held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen in Palace Compound, Imphal, the Coordinator of  COCOMI Th. Somorendro, while expressing displeasure over the failure of BJP led Governments at the Centre and State in resolving the crisis, questioned the inaction of  Central Paramilitary Forces who are  deployed in the State.

He also questioned the authorities for not protecting its citizens even after knowing that External Aggressors who infiltrated from Myanmar are involved in Manipur’s unrest. “In order to set up a pro-democracy government in Myanmar, people of Manipur should not be used as scapegoat “, he said.

The All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation also organised a public meeting on the Manipur Crisis completing one year on the theme “Revisiting the 3rd May, 2023”. During the public meeting the President of the organisation Nando Luwang while alleging that the government of India is indirectly involved in the ongoing conflict by using Kuki militants, said “the ongoing conflict in the state is a matter of serious concern”.

He further said that the protection of  Manipur’s integrity is top priority, and the indigenous people have to face  the ongoing crisis by understanding the hidden agendas and plots of the Central Government. “People should remain alert as there is uncertainty in bringing a proper solution to the crisis”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of Imphal Naga Forum, A.S Hungpro Shimray appealing to both the Meiteis and Kukis to find a solution through peaceful means said “ violence and vengeance can’t bring peace”.

During the remembrance day of May 3rd held at the office Taragi Cheisu(an organisation of retired intellectuals) in Imphal on the theme “Peace & Solidarity With the Victims of the Crisis”, Imphal Naga Forum secretary said that the ethnic violence have continued for too long and has caused immense hardships to people of the state.

Expressing sadness over the violence which began May 3rd last, he appealed to all the communities to work towards bringing peace and normalcy in Manipur.  the ongoing crisis.

**Author of this article is a senior journalist of Manipur.