IT News
Imphal, May 3:
Thangjing Panna, a local organization, hosted a solemn commemoration today, marking the one-year anniversary of the Kuki-Meitei conflict in Manipur. Yumnam Tomba, the convenor of Thangjing Panna, reflected on the tragic events of May 3, stating, “The way they attacked us on May 3, we started to protect the Thangjing. We have started this to protect our community.” The commemoration was organized as Indigenous People Awakening Day, honoring those affected by the violence.
Among the attendees were many family members of the conflict’s victims, each with their own story of loss and resilience. Yumnam Mema, who lost her son Yumnam Jiten in the conflict on August 15, expressed both pride and sorrow, saying, “I have no regret that my son lost his life for my motherland. However, it’s been one year, and the war is still going on. We want ST and the expulsion of narco-terrorists.”
Pukhram Sanjana, the wife of Manipur Police Commando Pukhram Ranabir who lost his life at Phoujakai, spoke of the ongoing suffering and the challenges faced by families of fallen soldiers. “He was a mere sepoy, so we didn’t get any money. We didn’t get a job. I am like a beggar now. They did meet us even,” she lamented.
The pain and anguish were palpable as Rocky Thingom’s mother, whose son was killed in Moreh along with 12 others last December, demanded justice. “He was killed brutally. Those 13 were killed brutally. I don’t have anything to say. We can’t stay like this. This suffering is unbearable. Give us weapons,” she pleaded.