In Pune Meiteis community staged a protest, seeks PM intervention

Pune: Members of the Meitei community staged a dharna in Maharashtra’s Pune on Monday to demand an immediate end to the violence in their native Manipur.
More than 100 people have lost their lives in ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state since May 3, when clashes broke out in hill districts following a ‘tribal solidarity march’ to protest against the Meitei community’s demand of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The Meiteis constitute about 53% of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. The tribals – Nagas and Kukis – constitute another 40 percent of the population and live in the hilly districts.
A protest sit-in against ‘narco-terrorists and illegal immigrants’ was held near the Collector’s office and was organized by Pune’s Meitei Nupi Lup.

In a release, protest organizers said Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains silent after 50 days of violence that has left more than 100 dead and 60,000 displaced.
It added that there are reports of heavy firing every day, resulting in people living in a war-like situation with multiple security forces, mob formation and clashes.

Demanding immediate action from the governments at the Center and Manipur, the protesters observed a minute’s silence to pay their respects to the victims of the violence.
The violence in Manipur has been going on for more than fifty days. Educational institutions remain closed. The internet has been down for almost two months. A protester said that the prices of essential and emergency items have increased.
“What is the government’s intention? The government should intervene to restore peace. Why is the government silent? Aren’t we citizens of India? Manipur is a small state but it has represented India in many international sports, arts and cultures. “Please don’t ignore us, save precious lives and homes,” said a protester.
Meitei Nupi Lup, Pune presented a memorandum to the Collector of Pune addressed to the Prime Minister seeking peace in the northeastern state.
Several protesters carried placards saying “Hello Modiji, where are you?”, “Please save Manipur”, “We want peace in Manipur” as well as “Partition of the hill valley”. and contained demands such as stopping deforestation.

Members of the Meisnam family, who were displaced from Churachandpur, narrated their story of how their homes were destroyed, the release said.