Activist cycling for peace gets security to cross Kangpokpi

Imphal: Transgender social activist Malem Thongam, who embarked on an over 2,300km peace mission titled ‘Cycling for Manipur Peace’ from New Delhi to Manipur, crossed the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district under heavy security amid objections from Kuki group Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and arrived safely at Sekmai in Imphal West early Thursday.

She reached Sekmai police station around 4.30am after travelling from Senapati district in a special convoy escorted by the Border Security Force (BSF). The security measures were taken in view of the opposition from Kuki groups to Thongam’s proposed route passing through Kangpokpi district along National Highway-2.

CoTU had objected to the passage, stating that the cycling programme could potentially trigger tension in the name of peace-building.


In a statement, the committee demanded that the proposed crossing point at Kangpokpi be stopped and asserted that any untoward incident during the crossing would be the responsibility of the authorities and not the Kuki-Zo community.

Thongam began the cycle journey from Qutub Minar in New Delhi on Oct 2 and has covered over 2,300km across several states. The activist entered Manipur earlier this week and reached Senapati district on Wednesday. The original plan was to pass through Kangpokpi on Friday before concluding the journey in Imphal.

Authorities said adequate arrangements were made to ensure law and order and safe passage during the early hours.

According to sources, a special convoy of BSF brought Thongam along with four others from Senapati police station on Thursday and handed over to Sekmai police station in Imphal West.

The transgender social activist is holding the night at Sekmai and will proceed towards Imphal on Friday morning. She will conclude her journey at Kangla fort, where she will also hold prayers for peace in the state.