Women members of Meira groups staged a rally yesterday demanding the unconditional release of village volunteers arrested in connection with the violence that erupted after May 23, 2023.
Speaking during the rally, Sougrakpam Piyabati, a member of the meira paibi groups of Moidangpok Khunou and surrounding areas, and WMC (Western Modern Club) general secretary Sorokkhaibam Ranjan said the arrests of village volunteers who had acted to protect their homes and villages from attacks by what they described as Kuki narco-terrorists had caused serious concern among local residents.
They said several volunteers who had allegedly confronted attacks on Meitei homes and villages were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), central forces and Manipur Police under various cases and subsequently handed over to the NIA.
They further alleged that six Kuki armed persons arrested by Cobra commandos in Kangpokpi were released without any conditions, despite the prevailing situation, and demanded similar unconditional release of the village volunteers arrested from the beginning of the conflict.
The speakers warned that failure to release the arrested volunteers could lead to stronger public protests in the coming days.
