Women in Manipur Protest Violence, RSS Urges Peace Restoration

Guwahati, Imphal: Hundreds of women in several districts of Manipur took to the streets on Saturday night and Sunday to condemn the violence in the state. Meitei women holding fire torches formed human chains on the streets in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Kakching districts from 7 pm to 8 pm. The women raised slogans seeking implementation of the National Register of Citizens.

In Delhi, condemning the violence, the RSS urged the Centre, the Manipur government, and the local administration, the police and security forces and Central agencies to take every possible step to restore peace immediately. The RSS asked the government to ensure the seamless supply of relief materials to displaced people, along with action needed to maintain peace and harmony.

RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said the violence in Manipur for 45 days was extremely worrisome. The violence and uncertainty that began in Manipur after the protest rally organised in Churachandpur on May 3 at the time of the Lai Haraoba festival has to be condemned, it added.

“The RSS is of the considered opinion that there is no place for violence and hatred in a democratic setup, and believes that the solution of any problem is possible only through mutual dialogue and expression of brotherhood in a peaceful atmosphere,” he said. Hosabale said the RSS appealed to everyone to overcome the deficit of trust among each other, which is the cause of the present crisis.

“It requires comprehensive efforts from both communities. It can be resolved by addressing the sense of insecurity and helplessness among the Meiteis and genuine concerns of the Kuki community”, he said.

In a separate move, representatives of the ousted Myanmar government, who call themselves National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar, on Sunday asked all Myanmar nationals taking refuge in India to be cautious and avoid unnecessary involvement in ethnic conflicts of Manipur where they are taking shelter. The NUG is a forum representing a group of elected MPs ousted in the 2021 Myanmar coup.

It said Myanmar nationals temporarily taking shelter in India and social organisations founded by these Myanmar nationals have been asked to comply and strictly refrain from indulging in any acts that are prejudicial to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of India.

Athouba Khuraijam, spokesperson of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, an umbrella group of several Meitei civil society groups, it had categorically told Union home minister Amit Shah at a recent meeting that at the root of the current crisis was “narco-terrorism involving illegal Kuki-Chin immigrants from Myanmar, cross-border Kuki insurgent groups, and Myanmar-based drug cartels.”