Manipur Women Form Human Chain To Protest Violence

Manipur women took to the streets to protest the ongoing violence in the state. Meitei women formed human chains for an hour in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching districts.

The Manipur women raised slogans and demanded the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Manipur Women Protest

Violent clashes broke out on May 3 between the state's ethnic group Meiteis and Kukis after the majority, Meiteis, demanded Scheduled Tribe status. Reportedly, the violence in Manipur has led to the heats of more than 100 people.

Earlier this month, the Manipur violence resulted in the tragic death of an eight-year-old boy, his mother, and another person. The boy was being brought to the hospital after being injured in a gunfight.

The ambulance transporting the young boy, his mother, and another relative was surrounded by the mob and set aflame, killing the three.

Women from the Kuki community of Manipur had protested in front of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 7. The protest was held a day after members of the Meitei community formed a human chain and demanded action against Kuki rebel organisations.

Suggested Reading: Ethnic Violence Continues In Manipur, 3 Killed: 10 Things To Know

One protester spoke with NDTV and said that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah could help stop the violence. She said that politicians had promised peace but the violence has persisted.

The Twitter handle of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) was recently "withheld" in India. The tribal leaders' group said it was a "shocking act of censorship" and that taking down the account was an attempt to "stifle the already marginalised Kuki-Zo tribal voice".

Jagat Thoudamn, a politician was accused of sedition after he claimed that an Assam Rifles unit was responsible for the violence and alleged that "Kuki terrorist outfits" were being protected by Assam Rifles.

An FIR was filed against Thoudamn was based on a complaint from the Headquarters Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) at Mantripukhri.

Assam Rifles criticised Thoudamn's claims and said in a press note that Thoudamn's article was "defamatory" and aimed to spread animosity against Assam Rifles and between the two communities in Manipur.

Feature Image Credit: Economic Times