JOINT STUDENTS’ BODY, LAMKA HOLDS SIT IN PROTEST AGAINST ALLEGED LEAKED AUDIO OF MANIPUR CM
A Sit in Protest under the banner “Protest Against State-sponsored Ethnic Cleansing” was held under the coordination of the Joint Students Body, Lamka (JSB) on August 31, 2024 (Saturday) at the Phungkhothang Stand, Lamka Public Ground, Hiangtam Lamka. The protest came in the wake of the news concerning the alleged audio leaks of the Manipur CM Biren Singh and the perceived incriminating statements made by him in the audio files, which consequently deem him culpable of orchestrating the ethnic violence tormenting the State of Manipur since May 2023. The protest also draws attention to the enormous educational challenges and deprivations faced by the Zo students amid the ethnic violence.
The protest commenced at 10 am in the morning with the packed gathering loudly denouncing the CM’s highly criminal and communal statements. Speeches were made by the Chairman of the Zomi Council Pu Vumsuan Naulak, President of the Zomi Mothers’ Association Nu Chingngaihdon and the Convenor of the Joint Students’ Body Pu Nengzalian Tonsing to the protesting crowd.
The Zomi Council (ZC) Chairman, Pu Vumsuan Naulak in his speech reiterated the need for a separate administration for the Zo communities of Manipur and the arduous task and impracticality of co-existence with a treacherous entity. Drawing the attention of the people to CM Biren’s recent remarks of peace dialogue with Thadou, Paite and Hmar groups the ZC Chairman dismissed them as mere hearsay or in plain language, denouncing them as talks between the CM and his close associates if at all there were any such talks. He reminded the gathering that the Zomi will be cautious in their approach to any form of dialogue against the people who have mercilessly in cold blood chased the Zo ethnic communities out of the Imphal valley, and the profitability continued protests rather than becoming sycophants with no dignity. He went on to point out the historical character of the Zomi in the form of their perseverance and unwavering attitude towards existential threats and their love and patriotic zeal for their land. He applauded the courage, impartiality and valour of the Assam Rifles in discharging their duties at protecting the Zo tribal villages along the buffer zones in thwarting the ever impending aggressions of the Valley-based Meitei militants, a threat that continues to be looming around the horizon. He went on to decry that the order of the Centre government, to move the Assam Rifles (AR) out of their posts in Kangvai and Kangpokpi, is a threat to the security of the Zo villages as the Zo people collectively felt that the AR is a reliable armed force which guarantees them continued protection. This new security arrangement of replacing the AR, he said, is likely to open the space along the buffer zones for the newly trained and radicalised Meitei militants numbering to over 30,000. He then condemned the politically motivated attempts at the false accusation of three SoO groups for breaking ground rules. Addressing the audio tapes of the CM N Biren Singh, he specifically referred to the issue of use of live mortar bombing on the Zo tribal villages and villagers and how the CM himself has directed the use of mortar by donning the Meitei militants with camouflage to pose them as state forces. The audio leak, he said, was an attempt at power struggle amongst the Meitei power elites, and that the Zomi are firm in their resolute determination to defend the hills they called home.
The President of the Zomi Mothers’ Association (ZMA), Nu Chingngaihdon in her speech condemned the CM’s remark in the audio leaks regarding the gang rape of the two Zo tribal women by a Meitei mob. This leak, she said, came at a time when the Indian nation is in shock over the horror of the Kolkata Doctor rape and murder incident. Sympathising with the two Zo tribal women victims, she cried out to the women to put their feet in the shoes of the two victims and how harrowing it must have felt, an experience downplayed by the remarks of a parochially communal CM N Biren Singh. She vowed to continue the fight for justice for the Zo tribal women affected by the communal violence.
Calls for the grant of a political solution and removal of the CM Biren reverberated throughout the packed Phungkhothang Guite Stand. Slogans of “ No Justice No Peace”, “Save Us from Biren Singh”, “Political Solution for the Zo people”, “Manipur a failed state” and other similar slogans highlighting the deep desire for a lasting peace which is much solicited in a troubled state marred by ethnic violence for decades. The protesting crowd ended their activity by singing the National Anthem and a closing mass prayer. The JSB also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
The Convenor of the Joint Students’ Body, Lamka (JSB) Pu Nengzalian Tonsing in his speech drew the attention of the crowd to the educational deprivation and shrinking opportunities of the Zo tribal students of the district. He stated that these deprivations and difficulties came in many forms, from the issue of discontinuance and limitation of studies for medical students, BA/MA students, to denial of exam centres in the district. He thanked the continuing support of the people in the JSB’s effort at educational aid to the students, their effort being a success in the form of the Centre granting an examination centre for the coming SSC CGL exam.
In Photo: The Zomi community of Zo ethnic tribes gathered in Lamka Football Ground for a protest
In Photo: Chairman, Zomi Council (ZC) the apex body of the Zomi tribes assured the gathering crowds that the ZC will continue to work for a political solution.
In Photo: President, ZMA vouch to continue to fight for justice for all Zo women victims
In Photo: Convenor, JSB, Lamka assuring the crowds that they will continue to work for the welfare of the Students
In Photo: A Senior Citizen praying for justice for all Zo victims during the Mass prayer session.