Trans activist pedals 1,500 km to Kol with appeal for peace in Manipur
Times of India | 22 November 2025
Kolkata: The gunshots have fallen silent in the strife-torn Manipur for now, giving a deceptive perception of normalcy in the border state. Even as the limelight has shifted from ethnic conflict, residents continue to suffer in silence for over two years. To remind the country and its leadership of the need to restore peace and normalcy, a 27-year-old transgender social activist from Manipur reached Kolkata on Friday, cycling from the national capital.
Malem Thongam, a transwoman, embarked on her ‘Cycling for Manipur Peace' expedition from Qutub Minar on Oct 2. After covering over 1,500 km, she reached Kolkata on Friday. During her three-day stopover in the city, she will meet people from various walks of life and officials with an appeal to contribute in whatever way they can to restore unity, peace, and harmony in Manipur.
"For more than two years, Manipur is burning. When displaced people continue to suffer in relief camps, the so-called ‘buffer zones' continue to restrict people from moving freely inside the state. Can we call it normalcy?" Malem asked.
Manipur has been on the boil since May 3, 2023, due to conflict between the Meiteis and Kukis. Over 250 people were killed and 60,000 displaced across both communities. The Kukis continue to demand a separate administration while the Meiteis swear to retain the state's territorial integrity. Meiteis cannot enter the Kuki-dominated districts while the Kukis cannot enter the Meitei-dominated valley districts. Malem's maiden cycling expedition is aimed at bridging the divide.
On Friday, Malem visited Lalbazar. She plans to submit a memorandum to the Bengal governor with an appeal to help restore peace in Manipur. and visit Garima Griha in Kolkata, a home for the transgender community. The ‘Manipuri in Kolkata', an organisation formed by Manipuris in the city, also felicitated her for her peace mission.
Malem's forward journey to Imphal via Assam will require her to cycle through National Highway 2, which passes through some Kuki-dominated areas. "I anticipate that I will not be permitted beyond the Mao gate on National Highway 2, even as I am taking the message of unity and harmony. It is painful that we still cannot move freely in our own state," said Malem.