The sit-in protest jointly organised by Imagi Meira and Sekmai Kanba Lup under the banner of the Peoples Progressive Alliance Manipur (PPAM) at Sekmai Bazaar entered its seventh day on Wednesday, demanding free movement along national highways and resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

On the seventh day, representatives of the two organisations submitted memorandums to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and BJP Manipur Pradesh President A. Sarda Devi, urging them to convey their demands directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his brief visit to Manipur on September 13.

The protest, which began on September 5, faced disruption on Tuesday morning when state police and central forces dismantled makeshift structures at the protest site. However, the women protesters quickly rebuilt the site and resumed their agitation, drawing even more participants.

Thokchom Sujata, President of Imagi Meira, said the groups were compelled to approach the Governor and BJP leadership as the Prime Minister’s short visit would not allow direct interaction with civil society organisations and Meira Paibis. She stressed that the protesters were demanding basic constitutional rights, including unhindered travel on NH-2 and NH-37, which have remained restricted for movement of one particular community since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023.

The memorandum also urged the Centre to initiate resettlement of IDPs and to revoke the revised Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF) on September 4. The groups alleged that both outfits had violated ground rules shortly after signing the accord.

The continuing agitation at Sekmai reflects mounting frustration over prolonged blockades, delayed rehabilitation of displaced persons, and growing mistrust in the state’s handling of insurgent ceasefire agreements.