Manipur: Imagi Meira locks Assembly gate, gives govt five-day ultimatum over special session demand

Members of the Imagi Meira Organisation on July 31 staged a protest outside the Manipur Legislative Assembly and briefly locked its main gate, expressing dissatisfaction over the state government’s alleged failure to act on their demands, including the convening of a special Assembly session.

The protesters reached the Assembly complex at around 1 pm and staged a sit-in, demanding that the government initiate action on the issues raised in a memorandum submitted earlier to the chief minister.

Imagi Meira Organisation president Th. Sujata said the group had repeatedly urged the government to convene a special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, arguing that the House was the appropriate platform to discuss measures aimed at restoring peace and addressing the concerns of conflict-affected communities.

The organisation has given the government a five-day ultimatum to begin acting on its demands, which include enacting laws to promote peace, protecting conflict-affected villages, providing legal safeguards to village volunteers, and ensuring speedy justice and rehabilitation for victims.

Sujata said Manipur had been grappling with conflict for more than three years and alleged that the situation had expanded to affect other communities, including the Naga community.

“People are frustrated with the government’s handling of the situation, and every community is yearning for peace. The Assembly is the right platform to discuss solutions instead of merely conducting outreach visits and offering assurances to communities,” she said.

She warned that if the government failed to initiate action within five days, Meira Paibis and local clubs would launch a statewide agitation on a larger scale.

Following the demonstration, protesters locked the Assembly gate, prompting security personnel to intervene. Police later opened the gate and restored access to the Assembly complex.