Sinakeithei, Manipur | EKHON: Sinakeithei Shanao Long (Women’s League of Sinakeithei) held a peaceful protest on Wednesday morning in Sinakeithei village to draw attention to the hardships faced by local residents amid ongoing tensions in the region.
Holding placards and raising slogans such as “Stop Firing,” “Save Our Future,” and “No Justice, No Peace,” the women demonstrators voiced concerns over safety, mobility, and access to basic services, calling for urgent government intervention.
The women’s group outlined several demands and grievances, emphasizing both security and humanitarian issues affecting the village. Protesters expressed concern over the implementation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, alleging that armed groups have taken advantage of the arrangement. They called for stricter monitoring mechanisms and accountability measures to ensure that the agreement is not misused.
According to the group, Lungter hill ranges have become strategic positions, creating fear among villagers due to their elevated vantage points. Residents highlighted that daily life in Sinakeithei has been severely disrupted. With the village’s agrarian economy already vulnerable, ongoing tensions have reportedly affected farming activities, trade, and schooling.
Despite the presence of central security forces, including units of the Mahar Regiment and the Border Security Force (BSF), villagers claimed that movement remains restricted and unsafe, limiting access to education and basic economic activities.
The protesters raised concerns about the psychological and physical toll on civilians, particularly women, children, and the elderly. They alleged that the persisting use of firearms and explosives in the village has caused damage to property and created an atmosphere of fear over the past two months.
The group urged authorities to undertake measures such as area domination patrols to restore a sense of safety. During the protest, the Sinakeithei Shanao Long appealed to both state and central governments to take immediate steps to ensure safe and unrestricted movement for villagers, strengthen enforcement and oversight of the SoO agreement, restore normalcy in education and economic activities and prioritize civilian safety through enhanced security measures.
While voicing strong concerns, the group also emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence. They noted that communities in the region have historically shared social and economic ties and urged all sides to pursue dialogue and non-violent solutions.
In an emotional appeal, the protesters also reached out to the wider Naga community and others for moral support, stating that solidarity during this period of uncertainty would provide much-needed reassurance to affected families.
The protest comes amid continuing ethnic tensions in Manipur, where clashes between communities have disrupted normal life in several districts, mostly in Ukhrul and Kamjong.
