I wholeheartedly commit the Government of Manipur to taking essential measures to halt the ongoing violence in the region, for the betterment of the youth of Manipur.
In a fervent bid to restore peace and harmony in crisis-stricken Manipur, Malem Thongam, a transgender activist, has recommenced her hunger strike at the Kangla Gate in Imphal.
Thongam initiated her hunger strike in New Delhi on February 22, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally assess the situation in violence-ridden Manipur. Despite her persistent protest and a memorandum submitted, there has been no response from PM Modi.
Shanta Khurai, another prominent transgender activist in Manipur, disclosed that Thongam’s demands also encompass the annulment of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement inked between the Center and Kuki militant groups.
Initially staging her protest in Khurai, Imphal, Thongam faced arrest on the 10th day of her hunger strike on March 2. Charged with attempting self-harm and inciting discord between communities, she was remanded to three-day judicial custody by the Imphal Magistrate Court at Lamphel. Subsequently, deteriorating health led to her hospitalization at JNIMS.
Amidst her 13th day of protest at Kangla Gate, Thongam garnered support from various quarters, including members of the transgender community. However, police intervention resulted in her relocation to JNIMS.
Expressing her unwavering commitment to the cause, Thongam emphasized, “This protest is not for myself but for the people in the state who are suffering. My protest here or outside the state is to seek urgent restoration of peace and normalcy but so far, I am not allowed to do so.”
Undeterred by obstacles, the transgender activist remains resolute in her determination to identify an alternate location to continue her protest and escalate pressure on the government to address the pressing concerns.
