Holding the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for the prevailing unrest in the state, Khwairamband Keithel Emas (women vendors) have called for a ban on Modi’s Mann Ki Baat in Manipur.
During a sit-in-protest on Thursday in Imphal, the women vendors demanded a response from the prime minister of India to several questions and the stand of the state government on the present situation.
"Are we aliens or an unknown community that the Indian Government is trying to divide us," they questioned.
A protester told the media that they got a report from the Kadangban area that Kuki militants tied red ribbons on their heads and on their guns too. So, the Indian Army should be able to identify them easily, she added.
"The Kukis in Manipur had come as refugees in 1806 and naturally became citizens," she said and questioned whether those that fled from Myanmar think that they can turn into citizens of India.
It is a known fact that there is militarisation in Myanmar and many of People’s Defence Force (PDF) personnel who fought against the military government there fled to Manipur, she said.
Moreover, there is information that those PDF personnel who fled from Myanmar were trained at Pallel by the Indian Army, she alleged.
“Why are they supporting those PDFs,” she asked.
She also said that those who fled from Myanmar were staying in the southern area of Manipur with the tribal people and then united to start poppy plantations.
There is also a report of the Indian Army not helping stranded people who went to collect paddy at Kadangban area, she alleged.
The woman protester also questioned why the Indian Government is unable to confine the militants under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) if it had signed the agreement.
The Keithel Emas (Women Vendors) also raised their voices against the sitting ministers and MLAs of the state.
Representing all Emas’ voices, a woman protester said that all they interacted with Speaker Satyabrata on Wednesday and questioned his silence and inaction against the 10 MLAs that want to divide Manipur.
“What are the remaining 50 MLAs doing?” she questioned further and said all the 50 MLAs should decide their stand as soon as possible. They were elected by the people and they should know why, she added.
The women vendors also questioned the 50 MLAs if they can stand by their oaths. The mothers of Manipur will not allow the state to be divided due to influx, she added.
