Imphal, August 17: In a solemn display of respect and remembrance, the women of Manipur organized sit-in dharnas at three different locations across the state on Thursday, paying homage to those who tragically lost their lives in the waves of ethnic violence.
The dharnas were conducted at three significant venues: New Lamka near Dorcas Hall, the vicinity of the medical college near the district hospital, and the Wall of Remembrance. Unlike routine days, these gatherings served as congregations for mass prayers, seeking solace and urging for a positive outcome as ongoing discussions unfold between the Government of India and the Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups.
With faith in their hearts, the women fervently beseeched the divine for blessings, hoping that the ongoing talks would yield a favourable resolution for the tribal communities. The primary demand of these communities is for a separate administration tailored to their needs.
The fervent spirit of these sit-ins echoes previous expressions of collective sentiment. On July 31, a resolute assembly of over 1,000 women staged a protest in Churachandpur, calling for the immediate withdrawal of state police forces from Moreh town.
Just a few days prior, on July 28, thousands of Kuki-Zo women in Tengnoupal district took to the streets, blocking the road to Moreh – a town bordering Myanmar – in an effort to prevent the ingress of police forces.
At least 150 people have been killed and over 400 people wounded in the violence that began on May 3, 2023. More than 60,000 people have been forced to flee from their homes as the army, parliamentary forces and police struggle to quell violence. Police armouries have been looted, hundreds of churches and more than a dozen temples ruined, and villages destroyed.
Also read: Meghalaya: Another member of new Khasi-militant outfit NLCN arrested; tally reaches 11
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Ka rynsan khubor digital ba pura ka Meghalaya da ka ktien Khasi.
Balei ban ap ia ka lashai, haba ki khubor ki mih mar syn jia!
Bud ia ka Ki Khubor na ka Shlem ban ioh ia ki khubor ba dang shu jia bad ba thymmai!
