Women lead fiery torch rally in northeastern India, demand government action amid escalating ethnic violence
by Aditi VermaIn a powerful display of resistance, thousands of women in Manipur held a torch rally to protest against ongoing ethnic violence in the state. The women-led protests called for immediate government intervention as the crisis continues to claim lives and displace thousands.
The incident took place at Imphal and the video went viral on September 10.
Visuals showed at night in Imphal, a large group of women wearing traditional Manipuri attire gathered for a powerful protest. The women, dressed in vibrant **phaneks** (a type of wrap-around skirt) and **innaphis** (a shawl-like upper garment), marched through the streets holding flaming torches in their hands. The torches illuminated their determined faces, casting flickering shadows against the dark surroundings. Their expressions were resolute and strong, reflecting a deep sense of purpose and unity. The glow of the torches created a striking contrast with the darkness of the night, highlighting the intensity of the protest as the women raised their voices against the ongoing violence in the state.
Thousands of women in Imphal, Manipur, took to the streets, leading a torch rally to protest the escalating violence in the state. The peaceful demonstration, primarily led by women, aimed to highlight the ongoing ethnic conflict and demand swift action from the government to restore peace. The rally comes amid rising tensions and increasing calls for intervention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Manipur has been embroiled in violence for over a year, stemming from ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The state government, led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, has deployed security forces to curb the unrest, but the situation remains volatile. Recent incidents, including long-range rocket attacks by Kuki militants, have resulted in multiple casualties, further destabilizing the region.
Amid the crisis, Chief Minister Biren Singh held an emergency meeting with Governor L Acharya and 18 MLAs to discuss potential solutions. Although the details of the discussions remain undisclosed, the Chief Minister reportedly submitted a memorandum outlining strategies to address the ethnic hostilities.
Despite the heavy deployment of central forces, tensions remain high, leading influential BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh to call for their withdrawal, criticizing their effectiveness in maintaining peace. The growing violence has led to urgent calls for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur and address the crisis directly.
The ongoing conflict has had a severe impact on the people of Manipur, displacing thousands and causing significant economic setbacks. As the situation continues to deteriorate, there is a growing demand for decisive action from both state and central governments to prevent further loss of life and restore stability to the region.