Closer look at Meira Paibis in the ongoing conflict
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Takhellambam Nepolin
Contd from previous issue
These women's groups' activity and philosophy are very straightforward and distinctive; their movement or agitation simply aims to protect the region from external assault and promote peace and harmony. These women's organizations also play a very big important role in Manipur ongoing crisis in bringing peace and harmony to the state.
The ongoing conflict in Manipur between the indigenous Meitei community and the Chin-Kuki groups have been raging for the past two and half months, starting at the beginning of May, following the tribal peace solidarity march organized by ATSUM (All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur).
More than 50 thousand people from both communities were forced to flee their homes as a result of the disturbance in the state. Additionally, more than 3000 homes were destroyed by fire, 100+ people were killed, and many more are still missing. Additionally, the Chin-Kuki community also simultaneously blocks the state's two lifelines, NH-2 Imphal-Dimapur (Asian Highway 102) and NH-37 Imphal-Jiribam.
This hinders the flow of necessities items like food and life-saving medications, which has a significant negative impact on the state's ability to function normally. Even at this worst point, neither the Central government nor the State administration failed to remove the barrier. The Chin-Kuki militant group often fires at the helpless Meitei populace in every nook and cranny of Manipur's neighbouring hill territory. At this critical juncture, the Manipuri women known as "Meira Paibis" took to the streets to make a call for peace and stability in the state.
In order to bring peace and normalcy to the state of Manipur during this ongoing crisis, Meira Paibis organizations conducted a number of peaceful agitations. In addition, they called for market closures and bandhs to condemn the atrocities carried out by the Chin-Kuki terrorist group against the helpless Meitei community.
In order to draw attention to the situation in Manipur by the Central government, all of these courageous women staged a peace agitation at the Jantra Mantra, New Delhi. Following the peace protest, they also submitted a memorandum to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which they also raise no. of questioned why peace and normalcy had not been brought to the region. They shout out several slogans during their peace agitation, including "No Separate Administration," "Abrogate Soo with Kuki Militant Outfit," "Save Indigenous Meitei Community," "Stop Narco-Terrorism Activities," "Implement NRC in Manipur," "Protect Manipur Integrity," "Deport Illegal Foreigners," "Stop Attacking and Burning Houses," and "One Manipur, One Administration."
Day by day, their appeal for peace becomes stronger. They also sent numerous memorandums to the State as well as Central governments. The Manipur government also implemented numerous measures to control the situation in the state, including the imposition of curfews, the prohibition of internet access, and the deployment of the military, but nothing has changed as of yet.
Without any fear in their minds, they emerge in the street at night holding a torch (Meira) to ensure the safety of human life and long-lasting peace and stability in the state. To safeguard priceless human lives from any dangerous activities, these women risk their lives in these terrible times by stopping numerous questionable people or vehicles.
In valley region of Manipur, this kind of patrol duty is carried out by the Meira Paibis until late night. As a result of the atrocities committed by the illegal immigrant Chin-Kuki militant group, they also organized numerous torch rallies, and thousands of Meira Paibis women formed human chains throughout the valley districts of Manipur. They also shouted a number of slogans, including the warning "No Solution, No Vote" to the BJP, the state's ruling party, if they failed to provide a workable solution and long-lasting peace in the region. Even the Meira Paibis Associations and local Assam and Tripura women's organizations held several peace demonstrations in support of the sincere appeals for the restoration of peace in the state.
(To be contd)
Contd from previous issue
These women's groups' activity and philosophy are very straightforward and distinctive; their movement or agitation simply aims to protect the region from external assault and promote peace and harmony. These women's organizations also play a very big important role in Manipur ongoing crisis in bringing peace and harmony to the state.
The ongoing conflict in Manipur between the indigenous Meitei community and the Chin-Kuki groups have been raging for the past two and half months, starting at the beginning of May, following the tribal peace solidarity march organized by ATSUM (All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur).
More than 50 thousand people from both communities were forced to flee their homes as a result of the disturbance in the state. Additionally, more than 3000 homes were destroyed by fire, 100+ people were killed, and many more are still missing. Additionally, the Chin-Kuki community also simultaneously blocks the state's two lifelines, NH-2 Imphal-Dimapur (Asian Highway 102) and NH-37 Imphal-Jiribam.
This hinders the flow of necessities items like food and life-saving medications, which has a significant negative impact on the state's ability to function normally. Even at this worst point, neither the Central government nor the State administration failed to remove the barrier. The Chin-Kuki militant group often fires at the helpless Meitei populace in every nook and cranny of Manipur's neighbouring hill territory. At this critical juncture, the Manipuri women known as "Meira Paibis" took to the streets to make a call for peace and stability in the state.
In order to bring peace and normalcy to the state of Manipur during this ongoing crisis, Meira Paibis organizations conducted a number of peaceful agitations. In addition, they called for market closures and bandhs to condemn the atrocities carried out by the Chin-Kuki terrorist group against the helpless Meitei community.
In order to draw attention to the situation in Manipur by the Central government, all of these courageous women staged a peace agitation at the Jantra Mantra, New Delhi. Following the peace protest, they also submitted a memorandum to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which they also raise no. of questioned why peace and normalcy had not been brought to the region. They shout out several slogans during their peace agitation, including "No Separate Administration," "Abrogate Soo with Kuki Militant Outfit," "Save Indigenous Meitei Community," "Stop Narco-Terrorism Activities," "Implement NRC in Manipur," "Protect Manipur Integrity," "Deport Illegal Foreigners," "Stop Attacking and Burning Houses," and "One Manipur, One Administration."
Day by day, their appeal for peace becomes stronger. They also sent numerous memorandums to the State as well as Central governments. The Manipur government also implemented numerous measures to control the situation in the state, including the imposition of curfews, the prohibition of internet access, and the deployment of the military, but nothing has changed as of yet.
Without any fear in their minds, they emerge in the street at night holding a torch (Meira) to ensure the safety of human life and long-lasting peace and stability in the state. To safeguard priceless human lives from any dangerous activities, these women risk their lives in these terrible times by stopping numerous questionable people or vehicles.
In valley region of Manipur, this kind of patrol duty is carried out by the Meira Paibis until late night. As a result of the atrocities committed by the illegal immigrant Chin-Kuki militant group, they also organized numerous torch rallies, and thousands of Meira Paibis women formed human chains throughout the valley districts of Manipur. They also shouted a number of slogans, including the warning "No Solution, No Vote" to the BJP, the state's ruling party, if they failed to provide a workable solution and long-lasting peace in the region. Even the Meira Paibis Associations and local Assam and Tripura women's organizations held several peace demonstrations in support of the sincere appeals for the restoration of peace in the state.
(To be contd)