Meitei Leepun boycotts Th. Brinda, Babloo Loitongbam from giving speech in public platform

The Meitei Leepun has boycotted former additional SP, NAB, Thounaojam Brinda and human rights activist, Babloo Loitongbam from giving speech in public gatherings or meetings.

A member of Meitei Leepun, Shilan Heisnam, made the announcement of their boycott at Manipur Press Club, a day after a voice clip of Brinda went viral on social media where she blamed Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun, N. Biren Singh and others for starting the ongoing violence in Manipur.

While briefing to the media persona on Thursday, Shilan said that his Meitei Leepun would not be held responsible for any consequences arising out of it if the duo continue to give speeches in public gatherings/meetings. Denying the statement of Brinda that the ongoing conflict was started by the Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tengol, Shilan told the media persons that the problem was, instead, started by the Kuki Zo community.

Speaking on his narrative on how the problem evolved, Shilan said that the open gym in Churachandpur was set on fire on April 27 and 29, a worship place/ small temple of one Wahengbam Oken at Thingkangphai, Churachandpur, was destroyed. He said that the participants of the peace rally in Churachandpur on May 3 set on fire one forest office in the district and one tipper truck driver, a Meitei, was beaten for driving over water bottles which were placed in the road side for the rally goers. He also said that one Ningthoujam Rohan, running a hardware store near Churachandpur bus parking, was attacked, a video of which how he had to run in the road was also available.

Another Meitei, Laishram Malemnganba, driving a ferguson tractor was also threatened and side glass of the tractor was destroyed. Later, when the Kuki Zo learnt that the Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Gate was set on fire, they rushed towards the spot, Shilan added.

Shilan further said that people coming from the side of Churachandpur were attacked, and shops and buildings situated around Torbung were destroyed. Later, villagers of Haolai Khopi situated near Torbung Bangla started burning the houses. Thereafter, the violence escalated in Kuki inhabited areas. The violence was not started by the Meitei Leepun, he said.

Alleging that everything was pre-planned by the Kuki Zo, Shilan also said that the Kuki-Zo working in RIMS and other government offices took leave from their work on May 3.

In the case of Babloo, the boycott has been imposed for his statement in a media interview where he put the blame on Arambai Tengol and Meitei Leepun for the violence in the State, he added