Imphal, May 28: Asserting that the movement of Meira Paibis in Manipur would only grow in strength as long as killing of innocent civilians takes place and imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and issuing call not to misuse the power of Meira Paibis continues, the 10th Meira Paibis' Day was observed at THAU Ground, Thangmeiband today.

Organised under the aegis of Meira Paibi Observation Committee, a large number of Meira Paibis coming from different parts of the State participated in the observance.

Irabot Foundation, Manipur president Thounaojam Iboyaima; Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba, Manipur president Longjam Memchoubi and Meira Paibi Welfare Association, Kangleipak president Moirangthem Keinahanbi were presidium members of the observance function.

Giving the key note address of the function, a spokesperson of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba said that Meira Paibis' Day is being observed on May 28 every year in commemoration of the incident in which Sinam Ongbi Priyari was killed in the police action to suppress the women movement against atrocities committed on civilians in the aftermath of the April 26, 1980 encounter between UGs and security forces.

The spokesperson explained that the main objective of observing Meira Paibis' Day is to understand the role of Meira Paibis in the society as well as to analyse together what stand should the Meira Paibis take in view of the fact that there has been no let up to the incidents of atrocities committed on innocent civilians since the time of 1980 .

In order to stop this, Meira Paibis should not be hypnotised by the false promises given by the politicians during election time.

Instead, they should be sagacious in electing the right representatives.

Meira Paibis should also not involve in distribution of rice, sugar, charcoal and kerosene by the Government nor in the civic action programmes taken up by the Army, the spokesperson added.

Many Meira Paibi leaders who spoke at the occasion pointed out that the Meira Paibis should not remain in quiet in the face of the atrocities committed on civilians either by the security forces, outlawed organisation and other anti-social elements.

Without siding with any parties, Meira Paibis should also raise their voice in union against the emerging trend of levelling false charges after being killed as well as respecting the rights and properties of the people, they said.

Cautioning against being allowed to mislead and misuse the power of the Meira Paibis, the women leaders maintained that the movement of Meira Paibis in Manipur would only gain strength as long as there is no let to the killing of innocent people and imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

Many resource persons also spoke on the role and relevance of Meira Paibis in the present context of Manipur.

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