Manipur observes Uprising Unity Day in low key ceremonies as ethnic tension persists

The day, which is aimed to promote unity among the people of Manipur, witnessed no fresh incidents of violence.

In contrast to previous years, the day was marked by a modest ceremony where floral tributes were paid to the 18 martyrs.

However, as anticipated, a large number of people attended the event.

Violence hit Manipur on May 3 following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the hill districts of the state. The march was organised to oppose the demand made by the Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Uprising Unity Day is an annual observance held to honor and remember the 18 individuals who lost their lives during the June 18 agitation in 2001.

There was palpable tension as Manipur observed Uprising Unity Day on Sunday, with an underlying fear of violence that had disrupted the peace in the border state in recent times, reported India Today.

Tensions have been rising due to the discrimination allegedly faced by tribal communities in Manipur, as the benefits intended for them often end up benefiting the majority community instead.

The Meiteis, comprising approximately 53 percent of the population, primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, while the tribal communities—the Nagas and the Kukis—live in the hill districts.

The tribal agitation arises from their concerns about the potential encroachment on their ancestral lands as a result of government policies, despite opposition from the majority of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in the state.

In a powerful show of unity, several women in various districts of Manipur came together on Saturday night to express their strong condemnation of the violence in the state.

Organised by the Meira Paibi group, Meitei women held fire torches and formed human chains on the streets of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching districts.

During the gathering at Kongba, Thounaojam Kiran Devi, a leader of the Meira Paibi group, said they were deeply disappointed with both the central and state governments for their failure to control the violence and ensure the safety of the people, according to the India Today report.

The women also voiced their opposition to what they referred to as the "infiltration of illegal immigrants from Myanmar," stated the report.

They raised slogans demanding the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

So far, over 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur.