Imphal, June 27: As many as 1,300 women vendors of nine Meitei women organisations on Wednesday took out a big rally demanding the deployment of state security forces to Meitei villages in the Jiribam district of Manipur.
The rally began at Jiri Ima Market and culminated at the DC office in Jiribam district with the submission of a memorandum to the deputy commissioner in this regard.
The rally was organaised by Leeching, Jiri, All Jiribam United Clubs Association (AJUCA), Jiribam Development Organization (JDO), World Meetei Council (WMC), Jiribam unit, Apunba Jiri Meira Paibi (AJMP), Jiri Women Association of Kangleipak (JIMWAK), Women Association for Socio-Economic Development (WASED), Jiri Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup (JIMPAL), Women Welfare Organization of Kangleipak (WWOK) and Leeching Women wing.
There have been widespread allegations by locals that the Central security forces, particularly Assam Rifles are not protecting the indigenous Meitei people, rather they have asked the villagers to leave their houses.
In the memorandum, the organisations stated that the present strength of the state forces deployed at Borobekra sub-division is too weak and unable to defend the villagers from the attack of militant groups.
They also demanded for rehabilitation of all displaced people who have sheltered at various relief camps in Jiribam and the construction of their burnt houses.
The women organisations further demanded the restoration of peace in Jiribam and to stop playing divide and rule policy.
Earlier on June 11, in a memorandum to Manipur chief minister N Birendra Singh, Meira Paibis and Club of Chandrapur ward number 7 and 8 of Jiribam alleged that the troops of Assam Rifles failed to protect the interests of the indigenous Meitei communities.
“The Central security forces deployed in the villages are meant for safeguarding only Kuki communities and not for Meitei community. All the families of Chandrapur have been compelled to leave their houses and took shelter in relief camps for their life’s sake,” they alleged.
“The situation has become unbearable. We want our homes back, and we want to live in peace,” they added.
