- Written by Bankitlang Lyngkhoi, Fifth Semester, Media Technologies, 2023
INTRODUCTION
The conflict that happened in Manipur, India, is a complex issue oiled by a long issue based on historical, political, and socio-cultural factors. The eviction of Kuki villagers from the Churachandpur District sparked protests and ignited tensions between the government and the tribal or the local community (Kuki). The Meiteis who are mostly in the plain, and are the majority, demanded the Scheduled Tribe status so that they too can acquire land and properties like the kukis. But this faced a lot of opposition and strong protests from the Kuki who feared losing political and economic power. The conflict has led to discrimination, political power imbalances, and conflicts over land and resources. The presence of insurgent groups further exacerbates the situation, as illegal taxation on highways funds their activities.
Hence as a result, Since May 3, the northeastern Indian state of Manipur has witnessed repeated inter-ethnic clashes primarily between two local ethnic communities, the Meitei (the plain) and Kuki(The hills) people. The ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur has brought about lots of destruction and cost the lives of many. This has resulted in the death of 175 people, with 1,108 others injured and 32 missing, according to the state police. The violence, which began on May 3, has also led to the destruction of 4,786 houses and 386 religious structures. The police have recovered 1,359 firearms and 15,050 various types of ammunition that were reported as "lost".
A WRITE UP ON THE EVENT
In solidarity with the people of Manipur, thousands and thousands of people all across the world took to the streets to protest and call an end to the brutal war of humanity. The incident of the two Kukis women being paraded naked shocked the world and this ignited and flame the fire of violence. Several organizations and different group movements protested against this rudeness act and raised their voices and filled the streets with placards and banners donning the name #savemanipur.
The Catholic Association of Shillong (CAS) on Saturday 5th august 2023, marched a silent peace rally as a sign of solidarity with the ongoing suffering in Manipur. The Programme started at 10:00am with the gathering silent procession from Iewrynghep ground towards St. Anthony's Hr. sec school’s Ground and ended around 12:30pm. Through this silent rally, the CAS urged the President of India Draupadi Murmu’s intervention to end the ongoing conflict in Manipur. Present on this rally were various Church Leaders in Meghalaya, the political leaders of various parties and a large crowd of people who share the same sympathy and concern for Manipur.
The rally which started off from Iewrynghep and culminated at St. Anthony’s Hr. sec Ground filled the street of Laitumkhrah with banners and slogans of people praying for Manipur. The rally consisted of two parts: The procession in silent from Iewrynghep ground towards St. Anthony’s Hr. sec’s stadium and the prayer service held at the Anthony’s Ground.
THE PHOTOS: Here are a series of photographs taken during the Event and which conveys the essence of sympathy and solidarity that the CAS is with the people of Manipur.
PART 1: GATHERING AT IEWRYNGHEP GROUND
PART 2: MARCHING TOWARDS DONBOSCO MINI STADIUM, LAITUMKHRAH
PART 3: AT DONBOCO MINI STADIUM FOR THE COMMON PRAYER
CONCLUSION
The The Catholic Association in Shillong (CAS) successfully held the Silent Rally at Laitumkhrah. The success of this rally was seen due to the active participation of the people right from the Children to the old. The crowd actively participated with the leaders as there was no disturbances the the city as the rally was a Silent rally. They all believed that all are brothers and sisters and therefore this sentiments made them to call forth for a Rally which was a silent rally to express their oneness and solidarity with their fellow brothers suffering in Manipur.
AUTHOR
BANKITLANG LYNGKHOI is a student of Mass Media (Media Technologies) at St. Anthony's College, Shillong. He hails from Kmawanrum, a village at the Outskirt of Shillong which is around 50 kms from the city. Currently, he is in the 5th Semester.
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