Women's body holds protest against Assam Rifles' legal notice to Manipur politician

PTI, IMPHAL, SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 : Members of a women's body held demonstrations across five valley districts of Manipur on Saturday, demanding withdrawal of a legal notice served to a politician by Assam Rifles.

Representatives of the Committee on Mass Protest against Assam Rifles organised sit-ins to protest against the paramilitary force's legal notice to Republican Party of India (RPI-Athawale) national secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam for harming the "reputation of the organisation".Women in large numbers hit the streets in Uripok, Singjamei, Keisampat, Keismathongin Imphal West district and Wangkhei and Khuraiin Imphal East to stage the demonstration.

Protests were also held in Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts during which women held placards and raised slogans against the paramilitary force.

"The protest is part of the People's Disobedience Movement. We are also requesting all employees of both the central and state governments to stop attending offices in response to the governments' failure to pay due attention to the violence in Manipur since May 3," N Sharmila, a member of the committee, told reporters at Uripok. 

A Shantilata, who participated in a demonstration at Bamon Leikai in Imphal East, said, "We strongly protest against the legal notice served to Thounaojam by the Assam Rifles. He is the only politician and representative of the people, who has consistently raised the issue of unprovoked attacks on Meitei villagers." 

The Assam Rifles had on August 18 slapped the legal notice to Thounaojam for harming the "reputation of the organisation" and discouraging and demoralising the central armed police force.

Thounaojam had earlier told PTI that he would not apologise and he was entitled to free speech in a democratic country like India. Assam Rifles sought a written and public apology for the "false allegation and defamation", asking him to retract the statement he made at Condolence of Meitei Martyrs' in Delhi on June 30. 

KalimNews, Imphal, 2 September 2023: Mass protest against legal notice to Maheshwar Thounaojam Women from different districts in Manipur’s valley came together in a show of unity, taking to the streets to protest against a legal notice served to Maheshwar Thounaojam, the national secretary of RPI (Athawale), by Assam Rifles. 

The protests resulted in closed shops, halted public transportation, and passionate speeches. The protestors expressed their anger over the legal action taken against Maheshwar Thounaojam, who has been vocal about the ongoing crisis in the region. 

They emphasized that his statements are based on factual information and demanded that the Manipur state government intervene and immediately withdraw the legal notice. 

A representative of the protestors stated, “We are protesting to condemn the legal notice served against Maheshwar Thounaojam. He has played a crucial role in spreading accurate information about the current crisis. He is not just an activist; he is like a son to us, and the people of Manipur, especially the mothers, stand united in support of Maheshwar Thounaojam. During the demonstrations, the protestors displayed placards with various slogans, such as “Go Back Assam Rifles,” “Withdraw Legal Notice to Maheshwar Thounaojam,” “Indian Army, Please Stand for Indians and its People,” “Implement NRC in Manipur,” and “We Condemn Assam Rifles. 

These messages strongly expressed the protestors’ objection to the legal action taken against Maheshwar Thounaojam. This unrest stems from a legal notice issued by Assam Rifles on August 18, accusing Maheshwar Thounaojam of making derogatory remarks against the paramilitary force. 

However, Maheshwar Thounaojam has stood firm, refusing to apologize and asserting his right to freedom of speech as an Indian citizen. The situation in Manipur remains tense, with the protestors determined to continue their demand for the withdrawal of the legal notice against Maheshwar Thounaojam. 

They also warned that if Assam Rifles takes any further action against him, the people of Manipur are prepared to take a leading role in challenging such actions, further complicating the already precarious situation in the region.