Imphal: All roads led to Tiddim ground in Imphal on Saturday as thousands of indigenous communities of Manipur joined the mega rally expressing their resentment and frustration over the Government of India’s failure to solve the prolonged conflict in the state. This marks one of the biggest gatherings of the indigenous communities protesting to safeguard their land and people in Manipur’s history.
The mega rally is being organised by the Coordinating Committee of Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in collaboration with various Naga civil society organisations, including the Foothills Naga Coordinating Committee (FNCC), Naga Humanitarian Aids Coordinating Committee (NHACM), Naga People’s Union Imphal (NPUI) and Inpui Naga Union. A huge number of non-locals also joined the protest to express solidarity and support amid the continued tensions in the state.
The United Naga Council (UNC) and All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) also endorsed the mega rally. Simultaneously, a solidarity protest was held across the Naga district headquarters.
The demonstrators, holding placards and raising slogans like ‘We want peace, not proxy war,’ ‘Stop proxy war, save Manipur,’ and ‘The government that cannot protect its own people and their properties should resign,’ began the march from Tiddim ground. Later, after marching for nearly 6 km, they they converged at THAU ground for a public meeting.
Heavy security was deployed in various locations, including Keishampat traffic point, to avoid any unwanted situation during the rally.
Speaking to media persons, Athouba Khuraijam, former convenor of COCOMI, said that the native population of Manipur had suffered enough as the ongoing crisis in the state has forced thousands of families to be without homes and resulted in many lost lives.
Khuiraijam described the mega rally as the last call by the indigenous communities to the Government of India to address the crisis in Manipur.
“In the last three and a a half years, the government has taken many wrong steps against the indigenous people and now this is our one last stand. If the Government of India fails to deliver the demands of the collective voice of the indigenous communities of the state, comprising Nagas and Meiteis, we will take our own course of action to secure our future,” said Khuraijam.
Khuraijam also warned that the indigenous communities will take serious steps against the government if it continues to disregard the voices of the people of the state.
The protestors demanded that that the Government of India and Government of Manipur immediately stop the proxy war campaign using Kuki narco terrorists against the native citizens of the state and identify illegal immigrants. The vital demands also include the the complete removal of the Assam Rifles from the state and set a timeline for the resettlement of the internally displaced persons.
FNCC convenor Akhiu described the demonstration as “historic” because indigenous people both Meitei and Naga, came together in such huge numbers to voice opposition against the ongoing conflict in the state. He also warned the Government that the indigenous communities will take stringent measures if it fails to meet the people’s demands.
Ganesh Chettri, a member of Manipuri Gorkha community, expressed concern over the ongoing violence in the state. He said that although his community is not part of the warring communities, at least three members from the community had already been killed in the crisis. However, he alleged that both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur remain silent to their concerns and demands.
“Manipur is very much part of India and the government must listen for the voice of the people, and deliver,” said Chettri.
During the public meeting, a one-minute silence was also observed in remembrance and honour of of those who lost lives during the crisis.
Community service was also witnessed in various localities as volunteers set up roadside stalls to serve water and sweets to the demonstrators. Moreover, all daily life activities voluntarily ceased in support and solidarity for the mega rally. Business establishments, shops, and educational institutions were closed, while all major roads remained largely isolated during the rally.
Also Read | Manipur CM meets Sitharaman, discusses state’s financial health