Churachandpur: A scuffle broke out between women protesters and security forces in Churachandpur on Thursday when demonstrators pressed towards Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute’s residence, protesting his decision to join the new govt led by chief minister Y Khemchand.The protest, organised under the Vaiphei Women Association (VWA), began at 11 am at the Vaiphei Peoples Council campus as a sit-in dharna before swelling into a march towards Khaute’s residence at Thangjam Road. Carrying placards reading “Stand With the People, Not the Government”, hundreds of women demonstrators pushed past heavy security cordons. By 1.30 pm, the security forces forced dispersal of the crowd after a brief scuffle.
Chants of “Traitor” and “Turn Deaf Ear to His People’s Suffering” echoed through the streets. Pak Hoi, spokesperson of the Vaiphei Women Association (VWA) general headquarters, said, “The protest has been organised to express our strong opposition to LM Khaute’s decision to join the popular government, which we see as a betrayal of our community’s trust and interest”.Asserting that Khaute, a member of Vaiphei tribe, and his decision to join the govt led to resentment among his community, Pak Hoi added that the MLA had gone against the community’s collective stand.The Vaiphei Women Association (VWA) said in a statement, “Khaute’s action is a slap on the face of the Kuki-Zo community, who have suffered at the hands of the government,” and pointed out that “the silence on the killing of Kuki-Zo people and the naked parade of our women and the atrocity committed against our women is deafening.”The VWA vowed that the people “will not forgive and forget,” urging citizens to stand with them in their fight for justice, dignity, and rights.
