Meira Paibi’s: An Dynamic Pressure Group of Manipur
Overview
Meira paibi (torch bearers) is a women’s social movement group in Manipur and is also referred to as the women ‘’Guardians of civil society’’. It has a long history of more than a hundred years though it was established in 1977, in Kakching as an active body and movement in Manipur. Initially, it was starting as the local group of women carrying flaming torches and marching through city streets at night as patrol duty. It started as a way of protesting against human rights violations by paramilitary and armed forces units in Manipur. This movement became active and strong when the people of Manipur were fighting for self-determination and political autonomy.
This organization has been fighting social issues like drug abuse, crime against women, social injustice, and the Arm Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) 1958. It has different groups in different parts of Manipur and in every village and town have its local body. They are the first instance people who take responsibility when there are crises or incidents happen in society,
especially in villages.
This organization and its movements get attention and recognition from different institutions across the world. They play a vital role in the development and progress of women status in Manipur and generally in India’s Feminist movement.
Role in the Society
Women of Manipur have traditions of playing a huge role in the development of socio-political and economic affairs in society. Their roles had traced back to the colonial and post-colonial periods of Manipur.
Meira Paibis had been protesting for many years along with JCILPS(The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System). They were taking part forefront in the sit-in-protest and stormed the CM office many times.
Meira paibis members from different parts of Manipur staged a sit-in protest in support of the JCILPS movement. They formed a human chain in support of the demand and to take action against the police who killed one of the student protesters. They came and show unity to fight for the ILP system in Manipur from the early 2010s. They play an enormous role in the achievement of ILPS in December 2019.
Meira Paibs also play a huge role in the inter-state political affairs that their slogans contribute to maintain peace and appeal to every community to come together and protect the unity and integrity of Manipur, especially when there had been peace talks between The National Socialist Council of Nagaland(NSCN-IM) and the Indian government. Meira Paibis from different communities came out on the streets with their torches in large numbers and held rallies in most of the districts of Manipur. They asserted that the Naga agreement would not affect the territorial integrity of Manipur. Naga Mother’s Association(NMA) delegates met with Meira Paibis and showed their solidarity. Both parties came together to bring peace and harmony to the two neighboring states.
The convener of Meira Paibis stated that ‘’ even if the government of India does anything forcibly harms the interest of Manipur, we would not target any community but will put the entire blame on the government of India’’. Their roles in the protection of the state’s territorial integrity and peaceful non-violent resistance inspire others young women to join with their contemporary affairs.
Recently, Meira Paibis of Manipur came out on the streets with bamboo torches and held large rallies against the controversial and unconstitutional Citizenship Amendments Bill. They gave a slogan against the Bill which they say is undemocratic and a violation of the International Human Rights framework.
Meira Paibis was also involved in the maintenance of social order and peace in Manipur. They are also involved in building alternative institutions as part of their efforts like handling crimes against women happening in the communities, monitoring and controlling trafficking of women and girls, dealing with family disputes, solving land disputes between neighbors and they also providing shelter to many destitute women. Therefore, these women have become an institution in their rights today, contributing to a greater feeling of safety in communities despite seventy years of armed conflicts.
As the people of Manipur continue to live under AFSPA, social and political injustice as well as human rights violations, these women have become an institution in their own right today and contributing to a greater feeling of safety in communities despite 70 years of Armed conflicts. Meira Paibis continue activism and movement tirelessly, lights up their meiras(torches) across Manipur night sky as a sign that historic non-violent peaceful movement shaping and maintaining peace and social order in the patriarchal society, and their strength, bravery, and non-violent resistance give inspiration to thousands of young women in different societies of India, particularly in the northeast region.
Maibam Warish is a Post-Gratute scholar pursuing his Master’s in International Relations specialization in West Asian Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. His field of interest include geopolitical conflicts, India’s West Asia Relations, Energy security, changing power dynamics in the West Asian region, Israel’s politics, and the issues related to democratization in the region.