An appeal to people who are blocking highways
- 15th May 2023 : European Manipuri Association (EMA) -
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The European Manipuri Association, a pan-European organisation comprising of all the ethnic groups inclusive of all the Tribals and Meiteis of Manipur residing in the UK and the Europe, appeal for peace and reconciliation in Manipur as the violence continues between sections of the Meitei and Kuki communities.
As a result of the ongoing clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, currently, over 49,000 Individuals have been forced to leave their homes or places of habitual residence. Both communities have lost scores of loved ones and many have lost their livelihood.
Based on highly reliable data collected from multiple sources, European Manipuri Association can state that the 49,000 or so Internally Displaced Persons, as we compiled from available sources, as of 14th May 2023, are being sheltered in many government recognised relief camps in different parts of 15 valley and hill districts.
Of these, nearly 38,000 are from the Meitei community while over 11,000 are from the Kuki community. Many of these IDPs have endured sustained violence, arson, vandalism and violent threats that have resulted in the loss of life and property. Thousands do not have homes to return to.
EMA would like to urge all armed groups and other organizations continuing to affect communities in the Imphal valley and beyond as well as blockading the national highways in the state of Manipur to stop as this is continuing to cause misery and suffering to the common people, like lack of essential items such as medicine.
We think that the act of violence that started 12 days back has led to a humanitarian crisis which will worsen with the current blockade of the national highways, the destruction of the state water supply system and the continued arson and violence involving heavily armed individuals. This will lead to a worsening crisis and loss of several more lives and fracturing the beautiful state of Manipur.
Sagolsem Biramani
On behalf of EMA Executive Committee
* This info was sent to e-pao.net by European Manipuri Association who can be contacted at ema_europe(AT)yahoo(DOT)co(DOT)uk
This article was posted on May 15, 2023 .
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