IPFM visits relay sit-in site, distributes relief to IDPs at Lamboikhongnangkhong

A team of the Indigenous People’s Forum Manipur (IPFM) today visited Lamboikhongnangkhong, where Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and members of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) are continuing a relay sit-in protest. During the visit, essential items, including sugar and dal, were distributed to the displaced persons as a gesture of solidarity.
Speaking on the occasion, IPFM Chief Advisor Wungnaoshang Kasar, popularly known as Ashang Kasar, said that the forum understands the pain and suffering of the displaced persons and has come forward to stand with them during this difficult period. Expressing hope on the occasion of Christmas, he said that the festival should serve as a moment to restore the age-old unity among the people. He stated that the present crisis is being engineered by vested interests, which has led to a serious breakdown of long-standing relationships among communities. He added that the crisis has also caused hardship to many Naga people residing in the foothill areas.
Recalling the peaceful coexistence maintained by ancestors since time immemorial, Ashang Kasar said there is a need to revive the spirit of unity rather than allowing relationships among communities to deteriorate further.
IPFM member SM Jalal and Thadou leader Michael Lamjathang Haokip also spoke on the occasion, expressing hope that normalcy would be restored at the earliest. They appealed for rebuilding trust and bonds among different communities and urged the government to ensure the safe return of the displaced persons to their respective homes by taking adequate security measures.
COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba expressed gratitude to the IPFM team for extending solidarity to the ongoing protest by the displaced persons and the committee.