Manipur: After ‘Dark’ Diwali in the Valley, Hills may witness ‘Muted’ Christmas
The ITLF issued the advisory as they fear attack by the Meiteis during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
IMPHAL- Ahead of Christmas, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) in Manipur has issued an advisory and asked people not to indulge in overtly conspicuous celebrations and other forms of enjoyment.
The advisory has asked the people to stay alert and be prepared for any disturbance, especially during Christmas and New Year.
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“Due to the prevailing atmosphere in the state, where our frontline villages are under constant threat by the Meitei community and our martyrs remain unburied, we request people not to indulge in overtly conspicuous celebrations and other forms of enjoyment during these hard times, ITLF leader Ginza Vualzong stated.
Ginza further said that “ All communities and churches observe muted Christmas and New Year celebrations by observing just the normal church service and not organizing feasts and fellowship events (lengkhawm),”.
He further asked people to limit outdoor activities by finishing games and sports events like Futsal by 8 pm, and close shops and outdoor food stalls around the same time. “All citizens to stay alert and be prepared for any disturbance, especially during Christmas and New year,” he stressed.
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Kuki population is mostly Christian while the Meiteis are mainly Hindu.
As sporadic incidents of violence continued, the Meiteis had observed “dark Diwali” by limiting the Diwali celebrations in the Imphal Valley fearing further violence.
The ITLF issued the advisory as they fear attack by the Meiteis during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
