Manipur crisis: Women’s group coordinates donation drive in Dimapur

June 5, 2023 21 Views No Comment

Young Tribal Women’s Network sends relief materials to Manipur

Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 5

Against the backdrop of the crisis in Manipur state, a group of women from the North-eastern states collectively under the banner of ‘Young Tribal Women’s Network (YTWN),’ initiated a donation drive in Dimapur between June 2 and 4 for the people displaced by the ongoing violence.

YTWN members, Gabriella Chongloi and Tunatoli Swu said that the group was formed in response to the dire need of help for the people when initial violence broke out on May 3. Manipur state continues to reel under sporadic instances of violence and confrontations between security forces and local groups for a month now.

This has created a huge humanitarian crisis where thousands of people have been displaced and relocated across the state and beyond. Among the most vulnerable groups, women and children in particular, have faced severe shortages of essential items caused by the breakdown of communication and movement of vehicles carrying goods, supplies etc.

Keeping this in mind, YTWN has collected over 35 bags of rice, dal, salt; 2 bags of potatoes, in addition to several packets of garments, mattresses, sanitary pads and diapers as well.

Chongloi stated that a similar donation drives had been done in Delhi during their first phase. “We wanted to do another one here in Dimapur as well. The response has been extremely positive from the people,” she noted.

The items were collected at the Moa Baptist Church, Kuda village, Half Nagarjan, Dimapur on June 4 following which it was loaded onto a pick-up truck, to be transported to Kohima. The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) Kohima will later be transporting it to Manipur. “

Swu meanwhile explained that YTWN had utilised the power of social media to reach out to the people of Dimapur and beyond for their noble cause. “People were also kind enough to donate to us in cash as well,” she said. An amount of Rs 31,000 was collected from across the country in this regard.

At the same time, she hinted that another donation drive might take place in the days to come as “The response has been so overwhelming thus far.”

In respect to the ongoing crisis, Chongloi urged the state government of Manipur and the Central government to resolve the differences of the people at the earliest so that peace and normalcy might return back to the state.

YTWN currently has about 23 active members and counting from the 8 sister states of the Northeast.