TODAY -

Restoring peace - The talk of the town

Laishram Devakumar Singh *



The present ethnic conflict in Manipur is not triggered by ethnic differences but by the greed over political, economic, social, cultural, or territorial matters. All peace-loving people, intellectuals and scholars in Manipur and other parts of the country know that this very conflict is one of the major threats to internal and as well as external security.

Simply the issue cannot be allowed to continue in the state as it is going to affect India’s reputation in the international domain. We have never seen such a magnitude of violence and destruction in Manipur before. During these conflicts, one can witness gross violation of human rights such as killings, crime against humanity, and economic blockade, failure of the state, environmental problems, and refugee flows etc.

Possible causes of the present crisis seem to be due to the long cherished nefarious agenda of the Chin-Kuki Zo terrorists, intellectuals and scholars who hijacks mass media with the intention of portraying Meitei as perpetrators of human right violation. They picked up soft targets wherever they felt it espoused their cause and blamed Meitei for everything that was unfolding.

Politically and administratively established institutions tend to be ineffective and defunct. This violent conflict seems to be fuelled by various vested interest groups in the Chin-Kuki Zo community. The misuse of churches in propagating and fuelling the fire of hatred against the Meitei community should be stopped.

Foreign aid to those who intended to break the territorial integrity of the state, corruption, administrative incompetence, and the inability to promote peaceful coexistence can well be understood from the series of incidents which have been taking place for the last almost four months.

The geographical distribution of settlements with or without the permission of the government, encroachment of forest areas by the illegal infiltrators from across the border and facilitation by the so-called local chiefs furthers the problems and territorial concentration of ethnic groups in pluralistic states like Manipur also contributes to the violent ethnic conflict.

In this conflict what one can see is the high levels of mobilisation of children, youths and women by organization and increased group cohesion and intention to carve out homeland in Manipur by Chin-Kuki-Zo as their political aspiration which is indirectly facilitated by the inaction of the Union government. The tactics used by Chin-Kuki Zo leaders are also incongruous.

Scapegoating, hate speech, and manipulation of the mass media by the Chin-Kuki-Zo are means that have heighten existing discord between ethnic groups. Sabotage, deliberate destruction of properties or slowing down of work with the intention of damaging the business or economic system of the Meitei community and derailing government machinery are the common tactics of these Chin-Kuki-Zo Narco-terrorists.

India has achieved milestone in space race by landing Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole of the moon on 23rd August 2023 and every citizen in the country is jubilant including Meitei community in India because their contributions in the project is noteworthy but soon the memories of violence continue to linger under the shadow of armed Chin-Kuki-Zo narco-terrorists.

Now the question is what is the solution ahead? Will the fear of the violence be put to rest or allowed to continue? How can so much mutual distrust be bridged? What about the core issue of illegal immigrants, deforestation, and poppy cultivation? Who will be responsible for restoring peace and harmony in the society?

The solution seems to be a distant dream because trial and tribulation is so painful and unforgettable. It simply cannot be put to rest. Many people lost their dearest ones and their lost cannot be bought by money. Their trauma and horror still linger in their minds. They’ve lost everything that they have been building for so long for a better future. Yet, human lives cannot continue the same.

Now it’s the time to re-ignite the hope for peace to all communities by arranging a platform where every community in the state must engage in dialogue for a constructive role. Responsibility for restoring peace should be spearheaded by the Union government as a third party by involving the community in the round table conference. It is high time for both the state and union government to find ways and means through which internally displaced people could be resettled and compensated well.

The initiative of the central government is paramount in restoring peace in the state because the issue is not simply ethnic one but the involvement of illegal immigrants who intruded into Indian territories with illegal sophisticated arms. These arms have been used in illegal extortion on National Highways, and as well as from the pockets of Meitei minority settlements across the state in the recent past and targeting the unarmed civilian population.

These arms should be recovered and those guilty should be booked and all arms from the Kuki areas must be recovered and those illegal immigrants with arms must be identified, disarmed, and deported to their country. It is better understood that India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol nor does India have a well-defined national policy on refugees.

Drug cartels and their associates should be arrested and booked according to the Constitutional law of the country and stringent punishment must be pronounced for their anti-social activities like uprooting of future generations by clandestine flooding of drugs in the black markets. These people should be subjected to intense labour work in jail and must be utilized by the government for productive purposes.

Illegal settlements and renaming of historical places and distortion of history should be viewed seriously and immediate stern action should be initiated against such nefarious motives by cornering and arresting them and legal action should be taken against them.

The Kuki community who has been living since the 18th century should renounce the habit of providing haven to those anti-social and anti-national elements for the sake of peaceful co-existence and harmony. Propaganda warfare should be put to rest and truth should be revealed and public apology should be rendered for the crimes which they have been perpetrating since May 2023.

They should also write an apology letter to the European Parliament for misleading the current event in the state of Manipur (India), and to the church for threading fabricated lies to cover their crimes. They should come out clean in every respect.

Destruction and razing of Meitei’s settlements in Khuga Tampak and Khumujamba Leikai in Churachandpur, Torbung Bangla in Bishnupur and Moreh town in Tengnoupal district should be compensated. All looted properties should be returned without any pre-condition. Destruction of public properties and valuable documents of the forests departments, banks, and other government establishments in Churachandpur should be compensated by the Chin-Kuki Zo community in the form of reparations. Apart from these, those who vandalised business establishments of the Meitei community should also be brought to justice.

For restoring peace in the state, Soo (Suspension of Operation) with Kuki militants should be withdrawn, and the dream of Zalengam or Kukiland should be given up. Frequent firing upon the Meitei villages in the peripheries should be stopped by the CSF instead of preventing Village Defence Force from retaliation. Neutrality should be maintained while dispensing their duties.

Meitei should be allowed to go to their respective home in the alleged “Buffer Zone” created by the security forces in the name of maintaining peace and tranquillity. Why such a buffer zone in the own courtyards of the legal owners of the properties. Such imaginary partition should be immediately put to an end for restoring normalcy in the violent hit areas.

All the illegal arms which are in the possession of Chin-Kuki-Zo narco-terrorists should be confiscated by the authority of the state. The community must find out a way to restore the previous ecological environment by planting more trees in the areas where they cultivated poppy earlier and ensure that deforestation is immediately stopped, and afforestation is on the roll. Chin-Kuki-Zo community must affirm and assert that no Chin-Kuki Zo will grow poppy in the hills of Manipur, and they must ensure that the sacred shrines of Meitei will never be desecrated in future.

Government should take up adequate and appropriate measures to resettle the Meitei in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh and other areas from where they have been displaced by providing security for safeguarding and protecting the Meitei settlements in these areas. Intense combing operations should be carried out in Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi to drive out the armed terrorists from the soil of Manipur, India.

Besides, the government should also give a serious thought to the amendment of MLRLR Act and put its efforts to bring equality in all respects regardless of the community by introducing uniform law all over the state to close the gap between artificial barriers of hills and the valley. MLRLR Act is absurd and obsolete and must be nullified and territories in the state of Manipur be declared as Terra Nullius.

Tax reforms should be carried out in the state so that taxes returned in the state are worth the value. Law and order should be established in violent hit hill districts of Manipur by translating measures initiated by the government into practice. Civil laws of the country must be implemented strictly in the hill districts. Posting of security personnel, bureaucrats and other machineries should be arranged in such a way that balance is maintained among the diverse communities of the state.

Above all, informal and formal dialogues between the community should be conducted to sort out differences under the supervision of the government. In a democratic country like India, any legalised community in the country can put up their demands to the government in a democratic manner. For achieving their demand, they must not target any particular community because that will never promote their cause. So, we’d better understand our history and live accordingly. If so, peace will prevail in the state.


* Laishram Devakumar Singh wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on 30 August 2023.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • 31st Governor Cup Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • PM welcome to Manipur: Feel the reality
  • Kainkhol wins best Social Message Film Award
  • Distortion of facts: Manipur sports movement
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • 134th Durand Cup Trophies Flag Off
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • How to take care of oily skin in monsoon
  • First-Ever Tripura Esports Championship
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025