Each Day Counts

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 31^st 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 100^th day (COFFIN RALLY - Delhi on December 9, 2015), 150^th 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 300^th 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.