Transgender activist ready to stage suicide protest in front of CM’s Bungalow

Imphal: Social activist Malem Thongam, a transgender, on Friday, re-declared to stage suicide protest in front of the chief  inister’s Bungalow on Saturday demanding restoration of peace in Manipur and the withdrawal of 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs from the Biren-led government, among others.

Thongam issued a deadline of 15 days cautioning to respond to the demands.

Talking to reporters at Soibam Leikai, Imphal East, she stated that the 45 ruling MLAs of the BJP government would be solely responsible for present chaos.

Malem, rights activist, had submitted a four-point memorandum to chief minister N. Biren Singh through the DC of Bishnupur district.

Since May 3, Kuki-Zo militants have been attacking Meitei villages and villagers. Many have been killed, and many are still missing in Kuki-dominated areas. According to her, these acts of violence are openly supported by the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs, who are demanding a ‘separate administration.’

“Why is the BJP party and the Biren-led government unable to take any action against the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs?” Thongam asked.

On September 27, Malem Thongam said she had filed two RTI applications, asking the chief minister and the state BJP president A. Sharda Devi to disclose the reasons for their inability to take what she called “concrete steps” to resolve the unrest in the state.

The transgender activist asked Biren, why two Cabinet  inisters belonging to the Kuki-Zo community were allowed to continue in their positions. She asked why the 10 MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community had not been sacked.

Serving a 15-day ultimatum, Malem Thongam announced that she would commit suicide in front of the chief minister’s bungalow if no positive response was given during this period.

She had demanded that her requests be fulfilled within 15 days from the date of submission, which would be until 3 pm of October 3.

“Today is the 14th day, and I have not received any positive response from the government regarding my demands,” Thongam said.

“… I will protest anywhere, at any place, for the sake of Manipur,” said Thongam.

“If I succeed in staging the protest, all 45 MLAs of the Biren-led government would be solely responsible.”