Meitei and Naga women from Awang Sekmai, Kanglatongbi and Makhan areas have formed the North Indigenous Women’s Organisation (NIWO), a joint platform aimed at promoting unity among indigenous communities and addressing issues affecting them collectively.
The organisation was constituted during a meeting attended by Meira Paibi representatives from 20 Meitei and Naga villages at the residence of Usham Amubi, President of the Advanced Women’s Society Apunba Meira Paibi, Awang Sekmai.
The newly elected office bearers are Usham Amubi (President), Warepam Sanahanbi (Vice-President), Ruth Thiumai (Secretary), Soubam Madhabi (Assistant Secretary) and Ng. Tombi (Treasurer).
Addressing the gathering, Usham Amubi said the organisation was formed in response to repeated attempts by external forces to divide indigenous communities, which she said had caused hardships to both Meitei and Naga people. She said NIWO would work to strengthen mutual trust and jointly safeguard the rights and interests of indigenous communities.
The organisation also urged the Government of India and the Manipur Government to intensify efforts to restore lasting peace in the state. It further called for the identification and removal of illegal immigrants before any census exercise is undertaken, warning that failure to do so could pose a serious threat to the demographic security and future of Manipur’s indigenous population.