GUWAHATI: Manipur residents on Saturday remembered the victims of the ethnic violence that broke out in the state exactly two years ago by organising different programmes in the Meiteicontrolled Imphal Valley and the Kuki-dominated hills.
A shutdown called by various groups to mark the twoyear anniversary affected normal life in the areas. Meitei group Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) had called for a shutdown in the valley districts, while the Zomi Students Federation and the Kuki Students Organisation had imposed the shutdown in the hill districts.
The COCOMI organised a public convention at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, where a large number of people turned up. The speakers, including scholars, eminent personalities and leaders of civil society organisations, urged for peace, justice, an end to the strife and protection of the state’s territorial integrity.
The Kuki-Zo tribals marked the sober occasion as the ‘Separation Day’. Further, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum organised a programme at the Wall of Remembrance in Churachandpur district in memory of the victims.
A large number of people, including leaders from various civil society organisations, attended the event. The Kukis, who had raised the pitch for “separate administration” for the community following the outbreak of the ethnic violence, remain firm on their demand. Markets were shut, public vehicles remained off the roads, and private offices remained closed across Manipur in view of the calls for shutdown. Security was tightened, but no untoward incident was reported.