Manipur: Normal activities ceased in State to protest killing of 13 people

IMPHAL-  People of Manipur, especially those belonging to Meitei, Naga, Muslim, and Hindi-speaking people, stopped their activities on Sunday across the state as a mark of respect to the 13 people, mostly young teenagers, who were killed by armed persons belonging to another community on December 4 at Tengnoupal district.

The Mangani Leihul (the first part of a Meitei ritual of deceased persons) of the 13 youths was held at Tarongthel of Andro, Imphal East, on Sunday, where thousands of people from across the state visited the burial site of the 13 people to pay tribute to all the deceased.

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The family members of all 13 people had agreed to organise the rituals in one place. This is the first incident where the bodies of victims were recovered.

Those who attended the rituals included Meitei, Naga, Muslims, and Hindi-speaking people from Manipur. Family members and those who attended the ritual condemned the killing of people who were unarmed after being captured.

While announcing the holding of the Mangani Leihul together, the committee had called to cease all works of the day by the people and take part in the ritual ceremony.

In response to the call without any provocation, almost all the major markets across the valley districts observed the shutdown while all shops and other business establishments remained closed for the day.

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The vendors of the Khwairamband Keithel including the three iconic all-women-run markets suspended their business of the day while almost all shops and business centres in and around the markets downed their shutters in response to the call.

The busy streets in the capital city also deserted as the shops and other business establishments in Paona Bazar and Thangal Bazar also remained closed for the day.