Malem Thongam’s peace march aimed at restoring tranquility and improving the lives of the populace has received enthusiastic support from the “Meitei Community Joint Co Ordinating Committee,-Waithou, Kiyam, Kiyam Siphai, Haokha & Waithou” (MCJCC) in Thoubal District. Although his march, initially planned from Chandel to Churachandpur, faced obstruction by the administration in Chandel, the MCJCC women rallied around him at Babu Bazar. Thongam expressed gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized his goal of promoting peaceful coexistence across all 16 districts of Manipur, drawing inspiration from the “Idea of Manipur” and comparing it to a similar peace march in Kashmir.
Beginning on March 12 from Lamangdong market in Bishnupur, Thongam’s journey through Kakching District to Chandel was interrupted when authorities prohibited further travel from Chandel market. Despite public support, he had to return through Pallel towards Thoubal. An additional complication arose when the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) declared that his peace march should remain within the 650 square miles of Meitei-dominated areas and warned of consequences if he attempted to enter Churachandpur.
Thongam criticized the newly formed government for failing to reassure both the Kuki-Zo people from the hills and the Meitei community regarding safety in mixed areas, highlighting the unfortunate lack of trust among the Meitei in Kuki regions. He declared that if the government did not clarify the situation regarding his planned march to Churachandpur by 9 am on March 17, he would take action by proceeding to the Chief Minister’s bungalow at 11 am.