Imphal: In response to the call from the “Committee Against the Legal Notice by IGAR South to Maheshwar Thounaojam,” Meira Paibi groups and women’s organizations conducted widespread protests in the valley areas of Manipur. The committee had previously announced a mass protest to be held in every locality of Manipur on August 31. These protests had a significant impact on normal life, as business establishments came to a standstill, and roads were deserted.
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During these protests, a scuffle broke out between the police and agitating Meira Paibi women who were on their way to submit a memorandum to the Governor and Chief Minister. A large number of Meira Paibi volunteers participated in the protests, held at various locations, and gathered at the Keishampat Lairembi Community hall in Imphal. Chanting slogans, the women protesters intended to march towards the Raj Bhawan (Governor’s residence) and the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to submit their memorandum. However, the police intercepted them near Keishampat Bridge, leading to a heated confrontation between the two sides.
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Additionally, the Committee has scheduled a “Convention on Oppressive Tactics of Assam Rifles to Silence the People” at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound,Imphal on September 4 at 10 AM. Committee members appealed to the people of the state to attend the convention to support the cause of preserving the state’s interests. They condemned the Assam Rifles for serving the legal notice to Thounaojam Maheshwar and also criticized the state forces for allegedly threatening the spokesperson of the committee. They warned that the committee would not remain silent on these issues.
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The legal notice was served by IGAR (South) to Thounaojam Maheshwar, a national secretary of RPI Athawale, who is currently campaigning outside the state to address the violence in Manipur. The notice was related to Maheshwar’s remark, made during a public event in New Delhi on June 30, demanding the complete removal of Assam Rifles from Manipur. The legal notice alleged that Maheshwar’s statement had defamed and portrayed Assam Rifles poorly in front of the people.
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