Civil society organisations, intellectuals, and Opposition leaders came together in Guwahati on Tuesday, observing a silent sit-in protest in solidarity with the people of Manipur and demand prompt restoration of peace in the neighbouring state.
The hour-long protest was against the “inability” of the Central and the Manipur governments to resolve the conflict that erupted 19 months ago with social scientist Hiren Gohain mooting a broader alliance of the civil society organisations, political parties and the public against the “misrule” of the BJP in Manipur and elsewhere.
Gohain said: “Manipur has been suffering for over a year and a half now. Manipur has come to this state only because of the machinations and indifference of the ruling party. There is no guarantee that the tension of Manipur will not spread to other north-eastern states.”
The sit-in protest was organised by Axom Nagarik Samaj and Bharat Jodo Abhiyaan, Assam at the Pub Guwahati Girls High School Grounds in Chandmari.
After Gohain’s opening address, the participants observed an hour of silence for the restoration of peace and normalcy in Manipur.
The ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zos and the Meiteis, which erupted on May 3, 2023, has left at least 258 dead and over 60,000 displaced.
Apart from writers, intellectuals and eminent citizens, members of several Opposition parties including the Congress, the CPI and the CPM joined the protest.
Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah, talking to reporters, thanked the everyone who came together for the sit-in protest to flag the problem of Manipur and for seeking the immediate intervention of the Centre to resolve the issue.
“As a national party, we support their initiative for peace in Manipur. We also support the call for anti-BJP forces to come together,” Borah said.
After the protest, Paresh Malakar, one of the organisers of the sit-in, said they chose to observe the sit-in protest on the occasion of International Human Rights Day (December 10) to focus on the violation of human rights of the people of Manipur.
He asked: “How can this tension and turmoil continue for so long? When will normalcy return to Manipur? How can we remain so calm and indifferent to the current situation in Manipur?”
“Manipur chief minister continues to be in office despite being unable to control the situation. The Central government is not concerned. Till date, the Prime Minister has not visited the state even once. Manipur is an example of how our diversely the country is being run. Under these circumstances, one only feels numbness. May be that is why we are resorting to silence as a mean of protest,” Malakar said.
Assam Christian Forum spokesperson Allen Brooks said, “When a government chosen by its citizens neglects their hardships for 19 months, the era certainly cannot described as Amrit Kaal.”
Amrit Kaal (or the era of Elixir) is a pet phrase of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling dispensation, envisaging a better life for Indians.
Imphal protest
A massive protest rally was organised by the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) and four other organisations in Imphal on Tuesday, seeking the repeal of the contentious Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958, and action against terrorists for killing innocents.
The rally started from Thangmeiband and culminated at Khuman Lampak with a public meeting.
AMUCO President Ph. Nando Luwang held Prime Minister Narendra Modi “responsible” for the ongoing crisis, stating that he was “focusing” on attracting global recognition while Manipur is suffering.
There has been regular protests demanding the repeal of the AFSPA, after it was reimposed by the Centre in six police stations on November 14 to check the spurt in violence in the strife-hit state.
The AFSPA gives unbridled power to the armed forces to arrest, search, shoot in areas declared as disturbed.
