Rain could not dampen the spirit of women from Hmar, Kuki, Mizo, and Zomi tribes of Manipur who had gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding fair action with respect to ethnic tensions in Manipur.
The women are seeking Centre’s intervention and President’s rule in the state. Fresh violence erupted in the state on Sunday in the clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities. On Sunday alone at least two people died and 12 were injured in different instances of firing upon civilians and clashes between militants and security forces, reported India Today.
The women allege that the violence is being perpetrated with assistance from State government law enforcement officials. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had allegedly labelled Kuki as militants. They are also demanding a separate administration for the Kuki community in the state as they feel the state has failed to protect them. Several protestors recounted how their houses have been burnt down and many women still have families stuck in Manipur.
The protestors were holding placards ‘Biren Singh down down’.
The demand for President’s rule in the state was being made from the day the clashes started. A public petition was made on change.org which was signed by more than 70,000 people.
Background
These clashes erupted in response to demands for inclusion of the Meitei community as a Scheduled Tribe. This did not sit down well with the Kuki community. The Meitei’s reside on lands while Nagas and Kukis are hill tribes. The Meitei have been demanding ST status for long but the hill tribes have always opposed it since they believe they will be robbed of their lands.
Thus far 75 casualties have been reported officially in the clashes.
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