A large multi-community public march under the theme “Meeyamgi Khollao-Puba Khongchat” (People’s Voice March) was held on Monday, with participants calling for unity among the people of Manipur to collectively confront the crises and challenges facing the State.
The march, jointly organised by various civil society organisations, began at around 1.30 pm from Kodompokpi Sports Complex, Wangjing, and culminated at Kheba Ching, Khongjom, the historic battlefield of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. A large public meeting was held at the venue, where several resolutions concerning the prevailing situation in Manipur were adopted.
People from different communities, including Meetei, Naga and Meitei Pangal, participated in the march. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Moreh, currently staying at Kodompokpi and Lamding relief camps, also joined the rally.
Participants carried placards with slogans including “Protect Our Land, Protect Our Future,” “Save Manipur, Save Indigenous People,” “No NRC, No Census,” “Deport Illegal Immigrants,” “Abrogate SoO Agreement with Kuki Militants,” “Stop Proxy War,” “Immediate Justice for Indigenous People,” “No to Communal Politics,” and “Unity is Strength.”
Addressing the gathering at Khongjom, members of the presidium said the armed conflict that began on May 3, 2023, has caused suffering among all indigenous communities residing in Manipur.
They stressed that the impact of the prolonged violence has extended across communities and called for collective efforts to protect the land, people and future of Manipur. They urged all indigenous communities to set aside differences, strengthen solidarity and work together to overcome the prevailing crisis.
In a statement issued by the Organising Committee of the Meeyamgi Khollao-Puba Khongchat, the organisers said the conflict had continued for more than three years without a clear end in sight.
They criticised the proposed conduct of the Census without prior updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and alleged that political interference in religious and social matters, coupled with the failure to bring the violence under control, had further aggravated the situation.
The organisers also alleged that armed Kuki militant groups operating under Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements had continued to target civilians, resulting in the deaths of innocent people.
They highlighted the hardships faced by thousands of people displaced from their homes by the violence. According to the organisers, many IDPs continue to live in difficult conditions and remain unable to return home, with some facing severe hardships in relief camps.
Questioning the implementation of policies and programmes meant to protect citizens under the Constitution of India, the organisers said the failure to properly implement such measures had become a concern for people across the country.
They also criticised elected representatives, including MLAs and ministers, alleging that they had failed to take a decisive political position on the crisis despite being elected with a mandate from the people.
Referring to Manipur’s attainment of full statehood in 1972 under the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971, the organisers questioned whether the State had been able to enjoy the status and conditions expected of a full-fledged State.
They further questioned the future of the different communities living together in Manipur, alleging that the government had failed to provide satisfactory answers to the issues confronting the State.
The organisers maintained that the violence, though initially involving particular communities, had affected Manipur as a whole. They called for all communities to come together and collectively address the crisis.
They appealed to the people of Manipur to unite, restore peace and work towards securing a safe future for coming generations. They warned that failure to unite at the present juncture could put at risk the land and legacy protected by earlier generations.
The organisers also called for differences to be set aside and for collective efforts to preserve Manipur’s unity, integrity and identity.
The organisations involved in organising the march included Thoubal and Kakching District Apunba Lup (TAKDAL), United Zaliangrongpui Coordinating Committee (UZCC), Asia Pacific Foundation Manipur (APF), Naga Peoples Union Women Imphal Wing (NPUIWW), Koubru Range Liangmai Women’s Union (KRLWU), Chandel Naga Peoples Organisation (CNPO), North East Indigenous Women’s Organisation Manipur (NIWOM), All Manipur Ulama Council (AMUC), United Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation (UMMWDO) and Committee on Protection of Meetei Victims (COPMeV), Moreh.
