Police thwart Malem's CCpur ride
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 31: Trans-gender social activist Malem Thongam has asked Chief Minister Yumnam Khem-chand to withdraw his recent statement on "free move- ment" after her peace ride to Churachandpur was stopped by police today.
The activist, known for her solo ride for peace across India, was detained and later released by the police today, thwarting her "Cycling for Peace" journey to Churachandpur.
"Apparently, the highways seem to be closed to Meiteis. The Chief Minister should admit there is no free movement and withdraw his statement claiming it was "apprehension" that was stopping people from travelling on the highways," Malem said.
The brief police detention today came on the heels of the Chief Minister claiming the highways were open, and citing "lack of trust" and "fear" among people of communities as reasons for people not travelling on the highways.
In a video that had gone viral on social media, Chief Minister Yumnam Khem-chand was seen answering a question and saying "highways are open".
The highways are open. But there is trust deficit between the communities, and fear among the people. The people on both sides are afraid of crossing into each other's region, Khemchand said, emphasising "trust deficit" and "fear" were reasons for people not travelling on the highways.
The CM was also heard saying a few of his friends had recently travelled on the highway and "there is no checking" of identity of commuters on the road.
Noting the Chief Minister's remark, Malem Thongam had earlier urged him to officially flag off her peace ride, which she said was aimed at fostering peace and harmony and initiating dialogue in violence-hit Manipur.
Security measures were tightened in Khwairamband Keithel area after getting information that Malem Thongam may come to Khwairamband Keithel to offer prayer before the Keithel Lairembi for her scheduled peace tour to Churachandpur.
Malem Thongam along with some of her supporters were on their way to Khwairamband Keithel in a SUV vehicle when they were stopped by a team of City Police at Wahengbam Leikai.
Citing concern over the prevailing law and order situation, the police team detained her and escorted the vehicle to Porompat police station at around 3.20 pm.
While the detention courted strong criticisms from her supporters, who viewed the peace ride as a symbolic effort to promote unity and reconciliation, Malem was later released by the Porompat police in the evening.
Notably, at least two attempts to travel to Churachandpur district have been thwarted by the police in the recent past.
After her release today, Malem said the instances of repeated detentions contradict the Chief Minister's claim that there is free movement and highways are open.
The Chief Minister had blamed it on "fear" and "apprehension" for Meiteis not travelling on the highways. "But, I was stopped today from travelling on the road to Churachandpur," Malem said to reporters.
Malem said she had planned for a formal flag off by the Chief Minister, as he had said "the roads were open".
"Apparently, the highways seem to be closed to Meiteis. The Chief Minister should admit there is no free movement and withdraw his claim that it was "apprehension" that was stopping people from travelling on the highways," Malem said.
She also expressed disappointment that the Chief Minister and the Government "seem not willing to support" her peace initiative.
Notably, Malem was recently stopped at Phougakchao Ikhai when she attempted to enter Churachandpur.
Earlier on March 16, she was forced to abandon her peace ride at Chandel, with the police issuing a strong direction not to proceed to Churachandpur and asking her to go back from Chandel district.
IMPHAL, Mar 31: Trans-gender social activist Malem Thongam has asked Chief Minister Yumnam Khem-chand to withdraw his recent statement on "free move- ment" after her peace ride to Churachandpur was stopped by police today.
The activist, known for her solo ride for peace across India, was detained and later released by the police today, thwarting her "Cycling for Peace" journey to Churachandpur.
"Apparently, the highways seem to be closed to Meiteis. The Chief Minister should admit there is no free movement and withdraw his statement claiming it was "apprehension" that was stopping people from travelling on the highways," Malem said.
The brief police detention today came on the heels of the Chief Minister claiming the highways were open, and citing "lack of trust" and "fear" among people of communities as reasons for people not travelling on the highways.
In a video that had gone viral on social media, Chief Minister Yumnam Khem-chand was seen answering a question and saying "highways are open".
The highways are open. But there is trust deficit between the communities, and fear among the people. The people on both sides are afraid of crossing into each other's region, Khemchand said, emphasising "trust deficit" and "fear" were reasons for people not travelling on the highways.
The CM was also heard saying a few of his friends had recently travelled on the highway and "there is no checking" of identity of commuters on the road.
Noting the Chief Minister's remark, Malem Thongam had earlier urged him to officially flag off her peace ride, which she said was aimed at fostering peace and harmony and initiating dialogue in violence-hit Manipur.
Security measures were tightened in Khwairamband Keithel area after getting information that Malem Thongam may come to Khwairamband Keithel to offer prayer before the Keithel Lairembi for her scheduled peace tour to Churachandpur.
Malem Thongam along with some of her supporters were on their way to Khwairamband Keithel in a SUV vehicle when they were stopped by a team of City Police at Wahengbam Leikai.
Citing concern over the prevailing law and order situation, the police team detained her and escorted the vehicle to Porompat police station at around 3.20 pm.
While the detention courted strong criticisms from her supporters, who viewed the peace ride as a symbolic effort to promote unity and reconciliation, Malem was later released by the Porompat police in the evening.
Notably, at least two attempts to travel to Churachandpur district have been thwarted by the police in the recent past.
After her release today, Malem said the instances of repeated detentions contradict the Chief Minister's claim that there is free movement and highways are open.
The Chief Minister had blamed it on "fear" and "apprehension" for Meiteis not travelling on the highways. "But, I was stopped today from travelling on the road to Churachandpur," Malem said to reporters.
Malem said she had planned for a formal flag off by the Chief Minister, as he had said "the roads were open".
"Apparently, the highways seem to be closed to Meiteis. The Chief Minister should admit there is no free movement and withdraw his claim that it was "apprehension" that was stopping people from travelling on the highways," Malem said.
She also expressed disappointment that the Chief Minister and the Government "seem not willing to support" her peace initiative.
Notably, Malem was recently stopped at Phougakchao Ikhai when she attempted to enter Churachandpur.
Earlier on March 16, she was forced to abandon her peace ride at Chandel, with the police issuing a strong direction not to proceed to Churachandpur and asking her to go back from Chandel district.