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Manipur has been known for more than just the existence of numerous insurgent groups. It is known for the bravery of its people, especially women, against the injustices of the state. Who doesn’t remember the one of its kind protest, in 2004, in front of Assam Rifles headquarters when 2-3 dozen naked women protested with the banner ‘Indian Army Rape Us’ after the abduction and murder of a young lady Manorama or the 16 years long lonely battle that Irom Sharmila fought from the hospital with a rubber tube inserted in her nose to feed her as she fasted against the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act? More recently, Manipur fame has been extended to sports, with the female sportspersons such as Mary Kom and Mirabai Chanu bringing laurels to the country, in fields not normally considered the domain for women in this country, and becoming national icons. The mothers’ organisation Meira Paibi would keep a vigil all night to ensure that the Army did not pick up their youth in the name of insurgents. The term ‘brave’ aptly characterises the people of Manipur.

https://countercurrents.org/2023/06/manipur-a-people-known-for-struggles-against-injustice-are-now-fighting-among-themselves/ 

 Meiteis have long been identified as a Hindu community. Although there is a small percentage of Muslim ‘Pangal’ Meiteis, there has been a definite Sanskritisation of their culture in history. If there is one community in the entire Northeast outside of Assam which would most easily amalgamate with the mainland Indian culture it is the Meiteis. The aspiration of this community to seek a Scheduled Tribe status seems to be driven more by the material considerations. Numerically smaller Kukis and Nagas felt threatened by this demand as this would have allowed Meiteis to buy lands in hills. This has provoked the conflagration.

by Sandeep Pandey 

25/06/2023

Silent March says Speak out on Manipur, Stop the Violence 
Bihar Citizens’ Rights Forum  
25th June, 2023
On the 54th day since the beginning of the violent conflagrations and unrest in the state of Manipur, concerned citizens of Bihar under the banner of Bihar Civil Rights Forum took out a silent march and inter-faith public prayer to mark their protest against the continued violence and the violations of Constitutional and Human Rights in Manipur.

Over 1,000 citizens from all walks of life came together in solidarity at the Dak Bungalow Chouraha in Patna, the capital of Bihar. Under the banner of Bihar Nagrik Adhikaar Manch [Bihar Citizens’ Rights Forum], they came forward to draw attention of the ruling establishment to the breakdown of law and order in Manipur.
In the procession were several well-known faces from various social organizations and groups. Former MP Veena Sahi, Uma Dafftar from AAP, Mukund Singh from RJD, Anand Madhab from INC, Anjum Ara from JDU, Ramji Bhai from CPI ML participated, Hira Singh Bagga as well as citizens connected with Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace, Conference of Religious – Bihar, Right to Food Campaign, Loktantrik Jan Pahal, Koshish, Action Aid, PUCL, MAIN, Punsch, International
Human Rights Council, BWDS, Bihar Dalit Vikas Samiti, Manthan, Lok Manch, XISR, Bihar Youth Forum, and VIVA joined the solidarity march.
Religious leaders from Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist communities offered prayers for Peace and Harmony during a short inter-faith service when the procession reached Buddha Smriti Park.

https://thewire.in/security/manipur-healthcare-education-government-reel-under-violence 

The unending turmoil in the state continues to widen the rift between the Meiteis and Kukis. Meanwhile, passengers remain stranded at Imphal airport, hospitals face staff shortages and students face the possibility of having to quit their studies.

Essential services like travel, hospitals and education are badly hit. A senior official of the district hospital at Churachandpur – a Kuki dominated area – said that all 13 Meitei doctors there have been transferred to districts where the latter community is dominant. The Meitei doctors had requested transfers citing security reasons. This has resulted in a shortage of doctors at the hospital, which currently has 49 Kuki doctors. Even the four Naga doctors have fled. This is the condition of many hospitals in the state, where healthcare workers don’t want to work in an area where their community is a minority.

by Banjot Kaur

16/06/2023