Imphal: Meitei women, representing three localities in Manipur‘s Thongju Assembly Constituency, staged a sit-in protest at Thongju Bokul Makhong Village on Sunday, urging Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and restore peace in Manipur.
The protesters demanded the end of the turmoil that has plagued the state for the last two years.
Speaking at the protest, activist Elika Thongam emphasized that the Meitei community values peace and state integrity. She urged the government to take strict action against those responsible for instigating violence.
They also urged the Centre to take punitive action against those for defying and not respecting the Union Home Minister’s directive for opening free movement.
The Manipur Governor had urged all communities to voluntarily surrender looted weapons, extending the deadline until March 6.
Even after the extended deadline of March 6 for voluntary weapons surrender, people are still turning in arms at local police stations and security camps.
Meanwhile, security forces have intensified search operations across Manipur. On March 7, police recovered weapons, ammunition, explosives, and military-grade equipment from districts including Imphal East, Jiribam, Ukhrul, and Tengnoupal.
Meanwhile Kuki-dominated regions of Manipur experienced widespread disruptions on Sunday as agitators enforced an indefinite shutdown in protest against what they described as a “crackdown by security forces.”
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The situation in Kangpokpi district, where clashes on Saturday left one protester dead and over 40 injured, remained tense but under control.
Authorities are working to restore normalcy and address the concerns of the protesting women, but the situation in Manipur remains volatile.
