Manipur today is composed of two distinctive geographical terrains: the valley
and the hills. Before independence, the valley was under princely rule and the hill
areas were relatively autonomous, mainly inhabited by the tribal population. In
1891, the British established their control over the region though the king continued
to rule the kingdom. The kingdom of Manipur signed a merger agreement with
India in 1949 and Manipur was made a part of India. This agreement was disputed
by many tribes which argued that they had been autonomous and did not agree to be
a part of India.
In response to those opposing the accession with India, the government had
deployed the Army. One of the laws that has been imposed to maintain law and
order is called the AFSPA i.e. Armed Forces Special Powers Act (1958). The Act
gives to the security forces the right to arrest or shoot people simply under
suspicion of being involved in anti-national activities. It is argued that the provisions
of the law have been abused and often there has been torture, killing and harassment
of innocent individuals including women who have been exploited and violated by
security forces. As women and mothers (Ima), they are also worried about their
sons or husband being picked up and tortured under the suspicion of being against
the nation and daughters or mothers themselves being sexually abused. Sometimes,
the women who are abused end up committing suicide. One of the instances that
gained widespread attention was the protest against the custodial death of a 32
year old woman Thangjam Manorama.
Meira Paibi (in Meitei language) literally can be translated as the ‘torch
bearers’. Meira Paibi originated as a movement to prevent public disorder due to
alcohol abuse in the late 1970s. But, it soon became a movement for human rights
with the massive deployment of Indian armed forces to counter the armed movement
for Manipuri independence in the early 1980s. It was also at a time when the state
was declared a ‘disturbed area’ and sweeping powers in the name of AFSPA were
given to the Indian armed forces. This resulted in frequent military operations and
human rights violations. The Meira Paibi responded instantly with protest
demonstrations. The Meira Paibi took to patrolling the streets at night. Women of
every leikai or ward of every town and village participated in the daily patrolling,
bearing no weapons but only the bamboo and rag kerosene torches. Every night, in
every leikai, at every lane junction, groups of women sat on vigil against threats
and disruptions to peace in the community. During periods of relative peace, a few
women would keep the vigil taking turns. But during moments of high tension,
participation is more widespread. These are not activist or politically inclined
women; they are ordinary women who take on themselves the traditional
responsibility for the safety and well being of the community. Meira Paibi group