Civil society meeting calls for peace in Manipur

May 19, 2023 23 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, MAY 18 (MExN): A civil society meeting was held at Gauhati Press Club on May 18 calling for peace in Manipur.

The meeting appealed for peace between the communities and for the participation of elders in the process of rebuilding relations. It deplored the role of the government in their “inability to protect the people and properties during the last few weeks.”

Further, the meeting implored the youth from all communities to desist from further escalation of violence. It appealed to all communities from the region to recognise the enormity of the tragedy and to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced people

It also called for an impartial investigation and inquiry into the recent violence; and demanded that the Union and State Governments provide security in the conflict ridden areas to allow victims and survivors to return to their homes.

Lachit Bordoloi presided over the meeting and called upon Ankur Tamuli Phukan to deliver the opening speech who gave a brief on the current Manipur situation and the tribulations of the people.

The Wire journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisarothy, who has been covering the Manipur crisis extensively, spoke about the current situation in the state. Prof Kipgen from IIT Guwahati spoke about the vulnerabilities of the Kuki people.

Imnatila, Asst General Secretary, NSUG called for peace among all ethnic communities. Anup Chetia took to the dais to express solemn solidarity with the distressed people.

Aditya Lahkar (MASS Chairman) expressed his condolences for the loss of lives in Manipur and stated that all these issues have been going on for a long time. He suggested the formation of a peace committee to go to Manipur for peace talks to resolve the issues through discussion.

Kishore Kalita called on all organisations of Manipur for peace. He also talked about the seriousness of land evictions and human settlements in the North Eastern region. Hareswar Barman stated that most ethnic groups have been unrepresented in post independence period, and thousands of people have been killed in ethnic conflicts between communities.

Leki expressed her solidarity for the people of Manipur and called for peace. Rishav Thakur called for negotiation between communities.

Finally, Ankur Tamuli Phukan read out the six resolutions of the meeting. The meeting resolved to appeal for peace between the communities and for the participation of elders in the process of rebuilding relations; deplore the role of the government in their inability to protect the people and properties during the last few weeks; Implore youth from all communities to desist from further escalation of violence; appeal to all communities from the region to recognise the enormity of the tragedy and to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced people; Demand an impartial investigation and inquiry into the recent violence; Demand the union and state governments provide security in the conflict ridden areas to allow victims and survivors to return to their homes.