The
tribal populace of Manipur and their brothers & sisters elsewhere wake up
on issues concerning their Land, Rights and Identity since the Government of
Manipur passed three contentious bills in Manipur Legislative Assembly on the
31st August 2015. The people took to the street and protested in
their own individual capacities. Residential houses of 6 MLAs and an MP were
burnt down. The Manipur security forces shot live bullets at the peaceful protesters.
In this very incident and the following days, nine peace loving INDIAN CITIZENS,
including an 11-year-old boy, were killed and left more than 50 people injured.
The
peaceful atmosphere of Churachandpur and other Hill Districts were filled with
air of protest. People mourned for the NINE LIVES lost. The hills echoed with
the cries of the people for the protection of their Land, Rights and Identity.
A series of agitation, strike, bandh followed. Many government offices located in
Churachandpur District were burned. The Tribal Representatives neither show any
sign of remorse or regret nor repent for the SIN OF NOT SPEAKING UP in the
Assembly on behalf of the people they represented.
MOTHERS
stepped out of their homes and joined the protest, hold HUMAN CHAIN from Kangvai
to Lamka District Hospital, a stretch of about 14Kms. They also successfully
carried out TORCH RALLY, hold public gatherings and played significant role in organizing
interesting forms of Protests. Various organizations, Auto Drivers, students,
Pastors, Village Chiefs, ATML, The Singtangmite, etc. were very instrumental in
their own capacities. They all contributed a lot to the JAC and the MTFD who
spearheaded the People’s Movement in Manipur and Delhi respectively. The
contributions of tribals in other parts of the world are quite noteworthy.
After
successfully holding significant protest to mark 100th day (COFFIN
RALLY - Delhi on December 9, 2015), 150th day (FLYING LANTERN -
Epi-centre in Churachandpur on January 28, 2015) and Constructing National
Highway 102B from their own contributions (Sinzawl-Tuivai), apart from others,
the People’s Movement is inching towards its 300th DAY OF PROTEST
(June 26, 2016). Out of the three anti-tribal bills one has been withhold by
the President of India. TWO REMAINS. The battle may be for a long haul. And our
determinations are not any lesser.
EACH
DAY COUNTS! Together We Can! REMEMBER OUR MARTYRS whose mortal bodies’ remains
waiting for a befitting burial. They gave their ALL. Let’s make their utmost sacrifice
worthwhile. Are You a PATRIOT??
Come
on… OUR LAND, OUR RIGHTS, OUR IDENTITY! The battle remains. So are We.
