Lawyers stage protest against ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur

Imphal: After being abstained from their duties, lawyers coming from different districts in the conflict-ridden state of Manipur staged a sit-in protest within the premises of the Cheirap court complex in Imphal West district on Friday.

The festoon at the protest site reads, “Save Manipur, and stop shielding perpetrators.”

The protest was organized by the All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) under the theme “One nation one state. Stop divide and rule policy,” drawing attention to the escalating issues facing Manipur today.

P Tomcha Meetei, President of the AMBA, on the sideline of the protest strongly denounced the genocidal of the Meitei people in the hill districts of Manipur.

Condemning the burning and destruction of Meitei homes, as well as the forced displacement of Meitei communities, he also criticized the central government for its perceived inaction, despite repeatedly acknowledging external aggression, even in parliamentary sessions.

In the ongoing ethnic violence between the Kukis and Meities, over 230 individuals lost their lives, 60,000 people were displaced and over 5,000 houses were also destroyed.

The violence erupted on May 3, 2023.

The AMBA president also expressed his unhappiness over the eruption of fresh violence in the Jiribam district of the state.