West Bengal's Tribal Regions to Organise Marches on Friday in Solidarity Against Violence in Manipur

Twenty-six tribal pockets, under the United Forum of All Adivasi Organizations of West Bengal, will take to the streets on Friday, protesting against the horrors unfolding in Manipur and the atrocities being meted out to the members of the tribal Kuki community. Moreover, they will line up marches protesting against introducing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Rabindra Murmu announced a unanimous decision to protest the violence against Manipur's tribal Kuki community. He indicated that the rallies are just the start, and their protest will continue until the government ensures punishment for all responsible for the ethnic violence in Manipur.

The protest will not be limited to rallies and processions; the tribal forum will also submit memorandums to each district magistrate, asking for stringent punishment for crimes committed against the Kuki community of Manipur. In addition to the scheduled united protest marches across West Bengal on Friday, the Adivasi sects of West Mindnapore and Purulia have already staged protests in areas within their ambit.

The Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal of Midnapore staged a massive protest of over 300 tribal people outside BJP National President and MP Dilip Ghosh's house on Wednesday, echoing similar demands.

Manoranjan Murmu, an observer of Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal, questioned why tribal atrocities are at their peak in BJP-ruled states like Manipur. He expressed a desire to hear an explanation from Dilip Ghosh, who serves as the national vice president of the BJP.

In Purulia, a group of tribal women hit the streets at numerous places in the district on Wednesday, protesting against the detrimental conditions of the women and children of the violence-hit state. Rabindra Murmu expressed his disappointment, noting with regret that even women are not being exempted from the brutal violence.

The BJP government, however, is confident that the tribal communities of Bengal will remain loyal to them. "We understand that protests and demonstrations are a democratic right. Most of the tribal communities are and will continue to be with the BJP," said the BJP's state chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya.

The Manipur issue will hold center stage during the protest marches on Friday. However, the Adivasi leaders also said they would voice their dissent against the crimes committed against women and the indigenous communities in Manipur and other states.