Kuki women hold candlelight vigil in Delhi for those killed in Manipur violence

Women of Manipur’s Kuki community held a candlelight vigil here on Saturday to pay tribute to those who lost their lives

New Delhi: A group of women from Manipur’s Kuki community held a candlelight vigil here Saturday to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the violence in Manipur state.

Dozens of women from the Kuki community gather at Jantar Mantar holding candles.

In a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they sought his intervention to restore normalcy in the state.

The demands include immediate presidential rule in Manipur, a permanent settlement through independent administration, the deployment of more central troops and neutral officials in conflict areas, security in morgues and hospitals.

It also includes providing security, food and medical assistance.

“There has been unrest in Manipur since May 3. More than a month. Violence continues despite Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state and calls for normalcy. A few days ago, a mother and child were burned alive. We don’t know who to trust now,” a member of the Kuki Women’s Forum told PTI.

“Our appeal to the Prime Minister and the Home Affairs Minister is to ensure that the situation does not escalate further,” she added.

Clashes erupted in Manipur after a ‘tribal unity march’ was organized in the hills on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s claim for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The violence came after a series of smaller disturbances sparked by tensions over the eviction of Kuki villagers from forest reserves.

The Meiteis make up about 53% of the population of Manipur and live mainly in the Imphal Valley. Tribes – the Nagas and Kukis – make up the other 40 percent of the population and live in the mountains.

Ethnic clashes claimed more than 100 lives and some 10,000 Army and paramilitary personnel had to be deployed as part of efforts to restore normalcy to the northeastern state.