IMPHAL | In a rare display of solidarity amid Manipur’s prolonged ethnic strife, members of the Naga and Meitei communities, along with representatives of several other groups, staged a joint sit-in protest at the historic Khwairamband Ima Market on Tuesday, demanding justice for victims of the ongoing conflict and calling for urgent political intervention to restore peace.

The demonstration was organised by the Naga People Union Imphal, the Imphal Naga Business Association, the Foothill Naga Coordination Committee, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel, Ima Gi Meira and the Committee on Coordinated Response and Rehabilitation.

Participants included members of the Naga, Meitei and Meitei Pangal communities, as well as other non-Manipuri groups residing in the state.

The protesters urged the government to convene a special or monsoon session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to hold a comprehensive discussion on measures needed to restore peace and normalcy. They also demanded the revocation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with Kuki armed groups, an end to what they described as a “proxy war,” and the release of volunteers from both the Naga and Meitei communities who have been arrested in connection with the conflict.

Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, Ima Gi Meira convenor Sujata Thokchom alleged that indigenous Naga and Meitei communities had suffered heavily during the violence and accused authorities of failing to ensure justice for those affected.

Referring to the killing of six Naga civilians who were reportedly abducted and murdered more than a month ago, she claimed that despite allegations linking members of a Kuki group to the incident, no meaningful action had been taken against those responsible.

Thokchom said earlier protests organised by individual communities had failed to elicit a satisfactory response from the authorities, leading various groups to come together for a united demonstration.

Naga activist Ashang Kasar also criticised the government’s handling of the case, alleging that the bodies of the six victims remain at the mortuary of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences nearly 40 days after the killings, while their families continue to await justice.

Questioning the government’s response, Kasar argued that the prolonged delay in identifying and prosecuting those responsible had deepened public frustration and raised concerns over the handling of the case.

The joint protest is notable because it brought together Naga and Meitei organisations at a time when Manipur continues to grapple with deep social and political divisions arising from the ethnic conflict that erupted in May 2023.

There was no immediate response from the state government regarding the allegations and demands raised during Tuesday’s demonstration. However, the protest highlighted growing calls from civil society groups for accountability, justice for victims and renewed efforts to find a lasting political solution to the crisis that has affected communities across Manipur for more than three years.