IT News
Imphal, Nov 25:
A large protest rally organized by various civil society organizations disrupted normal traffic in Imphal East district today. The rally denounced the reimposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and condemned the recent killing of six hostages in Jiribam, allegedly by Kuki-Zo militants.
Protesters voiced strong criticism against what they described as the indifference of the central government towards the ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities. One participant sharply rebuked the Centre’s reaction to the crisis, stating, “The central government strongly condemned the incident of a Kuki woman being paraded naked at the beginning of the conflict. However, when Kuki militants brutally killed six innocent women and children from the Meitei community, no words of condemnation were issued. This is deeply unfortunate.”
The demonstrators demanded justice for the victims of the November 11 Jiribam incident, where suspected Kuki militants attacked Jakuradhor village in Borobekra Sub-division. The assault led to a gunfight with the CRPF, resulting in the deaths of six Meitei hostages, including women and children.
Protesters also opposed the reimposition of AFSPA, arguing that the controversial law would only exacerbate tensions in the state. One protester emphasized that resolving Manipur’s ongoing crisis depends largely on the political will of the central government, rather than relying on draconian measures like AFSPA.
Chanting slogans such as “Central government must not divide Manipur,” “Repeal AFSPA,” “Long live Manipur,” and “Stop killing women and children,” the protesters called for the preservation of Manipur’s territorial integrity and an end to violence.
The demonstrators carried banners displaying the images of AFSPA victims, including Thangjam Manorama and Rose Ningsen, as a stark reminder of the law’s controversial history. The rally reflected widespread discontent and a demand for justice, peace, and a resolution to the prolonged conflict in Manipur.
