New Delhi: Nearly three weeks have passed since Malem Thongam (26), a transgender activist from Manipur, kicked off her hunger strike in the national capital to draw attention to the ethnic violence raging in the state since May last year.
So far, at least 219 people have died in clashes between the Meitei and tribal Kuki groups, with no signs of an end to the turmoil.
Thongam has pressed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur and assist the state to restore peace and normalcy, and revoke the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between the Centre, state government and the Kuki groups.
Thongam began her hunger strike on 22 February in Delhi University, where she sat with friends who had accompanied her from Manipur. A day later, she also protested in front of the residence of Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh but was asked to leave. The next day, she waited for hours in front of Manipur Bhawan to reach out to officials and find a protest site, but to no avail. She finally left Delhi on 27 February for Manipur, where she continued her hunger strike at Kangla western gate in Imphal.
“I have sent a memorandum to the Central and state governments with my demands. I had come to Delhi to make my voice heard. Peaceful protesting is a fundamental right, but Delhi Police asked me to leave,” Thongam had told ThePrint on 25 February.
Manipur Police first arrested Thongam on 2 March on charges of attempt to die by suicide and promoting enmity between groups, but released her on 5 March. A day later, she was arrested again on charges of protesting in public. The police took Thongam to the hospital on account of her deteriorating health, but she refused treatment until her demands were met. She was released Friday. Her hunger strike continues.
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Who is Malem Thongam
Thongam, a Meitei residing in Imphal, heads the Lamyanba Irawat Memorial Integrated Trust (LIMIT) — an organisation founded in 2018 in Manipur that aims to advance social justice and transgender issues.
LIMIT convenor Daya Taorem told ThePrint, “As a community, we are concerned about what is happening in Manipur and that nobody is still concerned about it. What Malem is doing is voicing the concerns of everyone in Manipur, not just the transgender community.”
Earlier in February, LIMIT had issued the Manipur government an ultimatum, demanding it invite Modi to Manipur to address the ongoing crisis. Setting a 15 February deadline for the government, LIMIT reportedly said the next day that its volunteers, supported by the people of Manipur, would depart for Delhi to launch protests if nothing happened.
Thongam, at the time, expressed deep concern before the press, alleging “seeming neglect of the situation by both the central and state governments while focusing on preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha election”.
In an FIR against Thongam on 2 March, a copy of which is with ThePrint, police invoked IPC sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 309 (attempt to die by suicide) against her.
ThePrint reached inspector N. Jadumani Singh of the Porompat police station, where the FIR was filed, for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication. This report will be updated if and when a response if received.
Thongam was arrested again on 6 March for protesting in public.
Santa Khurai, writer and the secretary of All Manipur Nupi Maanbi (Transgender) Association, who was present during the police crackdown, told ThePrint that Thongam was engaging in a non-violent protest and did not intend to cause public disturbance or damage.
“The committee has offered her unwavering support as her demands are sincere. She has been protesting peacefully and we will convene a meeting to decide further course of action,” said Khurai.
Thongam’s organisation LIMIT has another demand — revocation of the SoO agreement.
Signed on 22 August, 2008, between Kuki militant groups and the central and Manipur governments, it states the conditions under which the insurgents should cease their activities.
Earlier, on 25 February, the Meitei Alliance had also called a press conference, calling for its revocation. Malem Thongam was among those present. The coalition on 21 February presented Union Home Minister Amit Shah a memorandum with their demand.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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