Residents of Tentha and Mairenkhul staged a torch rally against Wangjing Tentha Assembly Constituency MLA Paonam Brojen, accusing him of making remarks that hurt public sentiment and demanding his resignation.
The rally began at Tentha Thongkhong Bazaar, with a large number of residents carrying torches and placards bearing slogans such as “MLA P. Brojen Resign” and “Boycott MLA P. Brojen”. The protesters marched through Tentha Khunou and Mairenkhul before returning to Tentha Thongkhong Bazaar.
Speaking during the rally, a participant identified as Naorem Kabilal said the public decision to oppose the MLA was taken in response to his alleged remarks during the 130th birth anniversary observance of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot on September 30. The protesters accused Brojen of making statements concerning Irabot and the political situation in Manipur that they considered unacceptable.
According to the protesters, Brojen had reportedly stated that the violence in Manipur would not have occurred had he been a minister, indicating that the ongoing crisis was orchestrated by him. They also alleged that he had left Manipur for Delhi for three years in an attempt to support the government and had aligned himself with Kuki militants, which they claimed had contributed to the prevailing crisis.
The protesters further argued that an elected representative who had allegedly made such remarks before the public should step down on moral grounds. They called on the people of Manipur to boycott Brojen and announced that residents of Tentha and Mairenkhul would continue to oppose him and impose ban on his entry to the villages.