Meitei human chain

Guwahati, June 19: In a powerful display of solidarity and protest, hundreds of Meitei women holding torches formed a human chain across the streets of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching districts of Manipur. Their aim was to denounce the violence that has gripped the state in recent times.

Thounaojam Kiran Devi, a leader of the Meira Paibi women’s group, expressed their demands to the reporters, stating, “We want the infiltration from Myanmar to stop,
and for that, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) must be implemented. We are deeply disappointed with the Centre and the state government for their failure to contain the violence and provide security.”

Amidst the ongoing unrest, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga assured Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh that Meiteis residing in Mizoram have nothing to fear as long as they are in the state.

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Zoramthanga took to Twitter on Sunday, stating, “The Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh spoke to me over the phone at 12:30 pm regarding the Manipur ongoing violence asking for my aid in resolving the issue with a hope that henceforth there would be a peaceful co-existence. Furthermore, the request is to take means and measures for the Mizoram Meiteis to settle peacefully.”

Zoramthanga further reassured in the same Tweet, “I assured the Chief Minister of
Manipur stated that Govt Of Mizoram bemoans the ongoing violence and that it has taken certain steps and measures to abate it. I further stated that we are supportive of the steps taken by the Govt Of Manipur and the Central Govt.”

Meanwhile, over 11,000 tribals belonging to the Kuki-Zo-Chin community have sought refuge in Mizoram, where they are currently lodged in shelters across various districts. Zoramthanga has written two letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dated May 16 and May 23, requesting financial assistance of ₹10 crore to provide relief to the displaced people sheltered in the state.

In a separate development, the Directorate of School Education announced that normal classes for all schools up to the 8th standard would resume from June 21.

However, for the remaining students up to the college level, classes would be gradually resumed, considering the prevailing law and order situation. Education department officials revealed that approximately 6,000 students from various grades have been displaced due to the violence since May 3.

Manipur Education Minister Bashanta Singh had previously stated that the department was taking necessary steps to ensure the welfare and support of the affected students.