IT News
Imphal, Feb 17:
Women’s groups in Manipur have strongly criticized the government’s failure to resolve the ongoing crisis in the state, spanning a troubling 10-month period, and have voiced opposition to the upcoming General Elections being held concurrently with the rest of the country.
During a press conference held at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal, H Bino Devi, Co-convenor of the Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee, expressed deep concern over the prolonged suffering endured by the people of the state. She highlighted the recent tragic incident in Churachandpur, where the District Commissioner’s complex was set ablaze and the Superintendent of Police’s office was vandalized.
Devi criticized the handling of the Churachandpur incident by central forces, alleging inefficiency and demanding transparency regarding orders given to control the situation. She emphasized that the failure of leaders to bring peace to the state renders participation in the upcoming elections futile. Devi warned of strict actions by women’s organizations against individuals participating in the elections.
Highlighting the state government’s inability to maintain control, Devi noted that many youths have resorted to taking up arms to defend their homes against armed aggressors.
She lamented the silence of state MLAs and ministers in the face of the critical situation, accusing them of contributing to the escalation of violence by failing to address the root causes effectively.
The crisis in Manipur has led to a tragic loss of more than 180 lives since ethnic tensions erupted on May 3rd last year, sparked by a tribal solidarity march protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis, comprising 53% of the population and residing mainly in the Imphal Valley, and tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, constituting 40% and residing predominantly in hilly districts, are at the center of the conflict.
