IT News
Imphal, Feb 21:
Twelve women’s organizations in Manipur have issued a strong warning against the ongoing crackdown on village defenders, declaring that they will take up the responsibility of protecting their land themselves if the security forces continue to raid and arrest the defenders. The declaration was made during a press conference held at the office of the All Manipur Women Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj).
The women’s organizations expressed deep resentment over the recent arrests of village volunteers, who they believe have been unfairly targeted despite their role in protecting their communities from aggression. Since the violence erupted on May 3, Kuki militants have been attacking villages, seizing land, and threatening indigenous populations, forcing villagers to take up arms in self-defense.
“The government’s decision to label these defenders as criminals and order them to surrender their weapons within seven days is completely unjustified,” the women leaders stated.
They pointed out that the directive fails to consider the reality on the ground, where Kuki militants continue their attacks and land encroachments. “How can the village defenders surrender their weapons when the threat against them still exists? Disarming them would only make them more vulnerable,” they argued.
The women’s groups stressed that had the Kuki militants stopped their aggression and ceased land seizures, the situation would have been different. However, their continued attacks, coupled with the government’s failure to establish an adequate security arrangement, have left the indigenous communities defenseless. “The absence of proper security has resulted in the loss of many lives and the destruction of homes. The government has failed to protect the people, and now, instead of ensuring their safety, they are punishing those who stood up to defend their families,” they stated.
The organizations further condemned the security forces for conducting raids and making arrests without addressing the core issue of the crisis. They asserted that the indigenous people will not accept this injustice and will resist any attempt to weaken their defense mechanisms. Instead of criminalizing those who are safeguarding their land, the government must focus on resolving the root cause of the conflict through dialogue and appropriate measures.
