“We are Indians, Not Terrorists” - Protest 100’s of Women from Manipur

Hundreds of women from Manipur’s Hmar, Kuki, Mizo, and Zomi tribes gathered at Jantar Mantar on Monday to protest against Chief Minister Biren Singh after the violence in the state continued with no signs of control on the situation. As the violence continues in Manipur’s capital Imphal, many people have fled their homes and are taking shelter in Delhi.

This protest at Jantar Mantar was organised by the Kuki community to make people aware of what is happening in Manipur, and also demand a separate administration as they claimed that the state government was against them.

During the protest, women gathered and held posters and national flags. Despite the rain, the women continued to protest. Slogans of “we are Indians” and “we are not illegal immigrants or terrorists” were raised by the women.

“We are Indians and have fought against the British. We are as much a part of India as anyone else,” a protester said at Jantar Mantar.

The Kuki community said that a lot of misinformation and propaganda is being spread against them.

Various mainstream reports have suggested that the tribal communities in the hills, especially the Kuki community are “illegal migrants” from Myanmar. This has created a lot of tensions among communities who are facing regular violence.

“My brothers are still there and they told us that while people in the Valley are somehow getting access to the internet to spread propaganda, communities in the hills are struggling,” Lisa , a resident of Manipur, said.

“We are being called terrorists. When people from other communities are dying, they are called martyrs but people from our community are being called terrorists,” Lisa further said.

As the protests were taking place in Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting with Chief Minister Biren.Singh and ministers of the state, senior leaders, and officials here to assess the situation and plan further steps to restore normalcy in the region, the same day.

Soon after the Home Minister arrived in Imphal on his four-day visit to Manipur, the meeting was conducted. The meeting aimed at assessing the situation in Manipur and plan further steps to restore normalcy there. During his stay in Manipur till June 1, the Home Minister will hold “several rounds” of security meetings.

Dr. Mate, a PhD Scholar at a university in Imphal explained the situation as well as the historical and cultural aspects of what is happening in Manipur. “As we live in the hills, we depend on natural resources and have very little information on what is happening in the outside world.

“This is the reason little is known about the Kuki community and a lot of data is not recorded. But a lot has been written about how Kuki and Nagas communities fought off the British. This is being used to navigate a certain propaganda against the Kuki,” she claimed. “We are being described as “illegal immigrants”, she said.

The community blamed the Singh’s government in the state but said they can trust the Central government to do something about the situation. “The state government has been against us since the beginning.Their involvement in helping our people is null and void. The fire could have been stopped on May 3 when the whole issue escalated if the chief minister had sent forces,” she added.

Dr. Linda (name changed on request) has fled her hometown in Manipur with her two kids aged 8 and 6. Married to a non-Kuki, she said that her husband, despite his identity, was not able to save their home, which was burnt to the ground.

“We saw pictures and it turned to ash. Despite this, the government hospital where I work is calling me back. They have also frozen my salary demanding I come back and resume my duty. But how can I go back? My children are so young and scared,” she added.

The future, many say, seems bleak and the only solution is “separation”. “Only way to survive is to separate ourselves from them. Put yourselves in our shoes. Thousands of houses were burnt with people no matter what age running for their lives. After so much damage and lives lwe can not think of going back,” Dr. Mati added.

Notably, Meiteis made up around 53 percent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis make up around 40 per cent of the population and live in the hill districts.

On May 14-15, Shah also held a series of meetings with N. Biren Singh and representatives of Meitei and Kuki communities as well as other stakeholders to review the measures taken for restoring peace in the state.

“They are painting the picture that everything is calm and peace has been restored, but that is all false. Nothing of that sort has happened,” Linda added.

Shah also held a meeting with the representatives of the Kuki Community from Manipur and a group of CSOs from Mizoram.

The protesters also demanded “president’s rule” in Manipur, arguing it was the only way to restore peace.

Meanwhile, in the wake of fresh violence internet was suspended by the Manipur government till May 31. However, the protesters have alleged that only Kuki areas have no internet connection, while Maeiti people have been able to get access.

The Manipur government on Monday issued an order warning people against the spreading of fake news and rumours. As per the new government order, people found spreading misinformation about the ongoing ethnic clashes in the state can be charged with Sedition.

"No person will be immune to prosecution under the laws of the country if he/she is found to be generating or spreading fake news, lies, rumours or misinformation in connection with the ongoing law and order situation in the state of Manipur. Such spreading of wrong information will therefore amount to sedition," the order read.

The Manipur government, in the order, said that several people with a large social media following have been sharing information on the law and order situation in the state. However, there were many instances wherein the information was found to be fake or rumour-based, read the order.

"A number of individuals in responsible positions having large followings on social media have been observed to be directly involved in generating and/or sharing information in connection with the ongoing law and order situation in the state of Manipur...

“Many of such information has been found to be fake news, lies, rumours or misinformation," the order, issued by state Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi, read.

At a time when the army, paramilitary forces and the state police are trying hard to contain the volatile atmosphere in the state, "wrong information has the potential to worsen" the situation by misguiding public opinion and instigating violence, the order read.

All Photographs NIKITA JAIN