Alleging the state government of sponsoring ethnic cleansing pogrom against the Kukis, womenfolk of Churachandpur today staged a sit-in-protest demanding separate administration. The womenfolk gathered at various places, holding placards and banners that voiced their concern over the violence in Manipur. They gathered in front of Mini-Secretariat, Tuibong, Churachandpur Police Station, Dorcas Hall, New Lamka and at D. Phailien Bazar. The silent protesters shouted in unison voicing their aspirations for separate administration.
The protest, organised by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) Women Wing, saw participation of thousands of Kuki-Zo women, where internally displaced persons shared their personal stories of sufferings and losses. They held Chief Minister N. Biren Singh responsible for the violence and killings, accusing him of failing to protect his people, instead igniting a communal violence. Displaced women expressed their disenchantment over the Chief Minister, who they believed showed bias towards the Meitei community and treated the Kuki tribal people as aliens. Visibly dejected Kuki women who were now sheltered at many of the Relief Centres at Churachandpur narrated how their villages were burnt down to ashes and how the state police failed to give them protection.
The silent protesters at Churachandpur Police station welcomed the visiting General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, Lt. Gen. K. Singh on Tuesday, with placards and banners at in front of the Churachandpur Police Station, shouting “we want separate administration,” “Down Down Biren.”
ITLF Women wing convenor Vungzahoih informed that the sit-in-protest will go ahead on all shops closing days. It may be noted that the ITLF had earlier announced that business establishments would be opened only on Tuesday and Thursday.
Reiterating their aspirations for separate administration, the protesters demanded a constitutional safeguard in the form of a State or Union Territory. The protesters also alleged that the state police in cohort with the Meitei even killed the Kukis who sought refuge in the Police Station.
It may be noted here that all 10 MLAs from the Kuki community including two ministers in the Biren Singh government demanded a separate administration, stating that the state of Manipur “miserably failed to protect” their people. The 10 MLAs also submitted a representation to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 12 May.
