Tri-Colour flutters in the air as Kangpokpi gets ready to welcome Amit Shah tomorrow

By Kaybie Chongloi

Kangpokpi is another district of Manipur that has seen arson and violence over the past few days. But today Kangpokpi town with a population of around 8,000 was painted in the colours of the tri-colour, a strong display of the people of Kangpokpi’s faith in the Constitution of India, the government and the law of the land.

Youths of Kangpokpi were seen tying the tri-colour to trees and electrical poles and by the roadside leading to the Brig. M. Thomas ground at Kangpokpi town where the Union Home Minister is expected to land tomorrow after his arrival in the district.

Banners reading, ‘Shri Narendra Modi Prime Minister of India We Need Your Support’, ‘Welcome Shri Amit Shah Hon’ble Home Minister, Government of India We Support Your Peace Mission’, were seen hanging from buildings and pasted on walls across the town.

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to land at Kangpokpi town at around 1:00 pm tomorrow afternoon where various prominent civil society organizations and Kuki leaders are expected to meet him.

Speaking exclusively to North East Live, spokesperson of the Committee on Tribals Unity, Sadar Hills, Rev. K. Sitlhou said, “We are in such a situation where survival matters, so, we need Constitutional protection and we are expecting or having a high hope from Union Home Minister that the tripartite talks with the UPF and KNO and the Governments will soon culminate with a solution. That’s our only hope for our Constitutional protection.”

Talking about the agendas the committee would place before the visiting Home Minister, Sitlhou said that the ground reality of the violence with numerous evidence has already been submitted to various central agencies and “I believe all the evidence submitted are enough for the Union Home Minister to judge or know as to who is wrong or right. I strongly believe that the long cries and agonies of the Kuki people will be addressed with a permanent solution.”

“A young girl who is enthusiastically participating in putting up the National Flag along the roadside said, “I am excitedly taking part to welcome our Union Home Minister as I truly believe that will bring a solution we are sincerely waiting for.”

Another civil society organization leader said, “Please listen to our cries as we remind ourselves that under the fluttering tricolour, we shall be protected, and our cries will be heard and justice will prevail”.