Manipur: Cyclist-activist Malem Thongam questions Kuki groups’ stand on peace

Cyclist and social activist Malem Thongam on December 18 concluded the first phase of her “Cycling for Peace” campaign at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal, despite alleged objections and restrictions imposed by Kuki groups against her entry into Kangpokpi during the journey.

Malem Thongam was warmly received at Kangla by women from various sections of society upon her arrival in Imphal. She later offered prayers at the temple located within the Kangla complex before proceeding to Khwairamband Ima Market, where women vendors felicitated her with garlands.

She had reached Sekmai early Thursday morning after crossing Kangpokpi under the protection of a BSF security convoy. After staying overnight at Sekmai in Imphal West district and interacting with local residents, she left for Imphal on Tuesday.

Addressing the media, Malem said her cycling campaign, launched on October 2 from Delhi under the theme “Cycling for Peace,” formally concluded at Kangla. She announced that the second phase of the campaign would resume in 2027.

She stated that during the first phase, she cycled through five states—Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Nagaland—receiving widespread support from various sections of society in her effort to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. However, she alleged that similar support was not extended by sections of the Kuki community.

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Referring to her passage through Kangpokpi, Malem claimed that the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) had issued warnings to prevent her from crossing the district. “There were attempts to stop me from entering Kangpokpi, but with the support of security forces, I was able to cross. Whether cycling or not, crossing Kangpokpi peacefully was central to my campaign,” she said.

She further alleged that people in Kangpokpi were keeping vigil along the route ahead of her arrival, making security deployment necessary to avoid any untoward incident. Condemning the warning issued by COTU, Malem urged the organisation to withdraw such directives.

Malem also stated that with the support of peace-loving forums, and demanded legal action against those who threaten Manipur’s integrity by demanding separate administration.

She informed that a magazine documenting the first phase of her “Cycling for Peace” campaign would be published in 2026 in Kolkata and subsequently submitted to the Government of India. She added that if peace does not return to Manipur, the campaign would continue across the country to highlight what she described as the neglect of the state.

“The second phase of cycling for peace in Manipur will begin in 2027 and will cover different parts of India,” she added.