In a strong and emotionally charged demonstration, a large number of women from Sinakeithei village in Ukhrul district staged a protest on Wednesday, calling for immediate government intervention to restore peace amid escalating tensions in the area.
The protest, organised under the banner of Sinakeithei Shanao Long, saw women gathering in large numbers, raising slogans and voicing anger over recent attacks allegedly carried out by Kuki groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement. The demonstrators accused the armed groups of violating established ground rules, leading to fear and instability in the village.
Addressing the gathering, a local school teacher appealed to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh to take immediate and decisive action. She stated that repeated incidents of gunfire had severely disrupted normal life, particularly affecting children’s education. Students, she said, are unable to attend school or study in a secure environment due to persistent fear.
Several women participants described the situation in stark terms, alleging that Sinakeithei has effectively been turned into a conflict zone. They spoke of sleepless nights, constant anxiety, and the absence of a sense of safety, especially for children and elderly residents.
The protesters urged the state government to ensure strict enforcement of law and order, address alleged violations by armed groups, and take concrete steps to restore normalcy in the region.