Manipur indigenous groups hold ‘war cry’ protest, demand abrogation of SoO, NRC update

Members of indigenous communities in Manipur on October 23 held a “war cry” demonstration to express their resentment over the prolonged conflict in the state and demand action on issues they said were affecting indigenous people.

The observance was organised by the Federation of Haomei across areas inhabited by indigenous communities, with the main event held at Sawombung Kabui Khunjao.

The demonstration took place from 7.30 pm to 8 pm, with participants beating traditional drums, raising slogans, honking and banging on electric poles and utensils to express their concerns.

Men, women and children took part in the protest, raising 10 slogans that included demands for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, an update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), deportation of alleged foreigners and an end to what they described as the government's “divide-and-rule” policy.

The protesters also called for an end to the free movement of armed militants in hill areas and opposed any separate administration for the state.

Federation of Haomei secretary general Vicisy Shimrey said the “war cry” was a traditional form of expression through which indigenous people conveyed their anguish, dissatisfaction and suffering.

He said people in Manipur had been enduring the crisis for more than three years and alleged that the authorities had failed to take adequate steps towards lasting peace.

Shimrey also raised concerns over what he described as demographic imbalance in the state. He alleged that attacks on indigenous communities continued amid the conflict and called on the government to review the SoO agreement and address concerns over illegal immigration.

He further said the NRC should be updated before a fresh census exercise was undertaken.

Another protester, Hera Kabui, urged the Centre and the state government to move away from what he described as vote-bank politics and a divide-and-rule approach, and focus on protecting indigenous communities.

Expressing concern over what he described as a lack of public attention to the crisis, Kabui appealed to people to speak up about their grievances and consider the future of coming generations.

The demands and allegations raised during the demonstration reflect the concerns of the participating groups amid the continuing conflict in Manipur.