Peace in Manipur
Chongtham Thangamba Meetei *
The situation happening in Manipur is very unfortunate. As per my understanding and based on the information available so far, the violence was initiated on the 3rd of May 2023 when Kukis attacked Meitei Villages and in retaliation, Meitei attacked Kuki Villages.
This attacking each other is prevailing till today resulting to suffer in both sides of the communities, where the common man, the poor, the innocents, the old man, and the children suffer at large.
This unfortunate & unwanted incident of unrest and a violent eruption of ethnic crisis have turned the State into a conflict zone, marking the ugly history of Manipur. This unrest was unexpected and inhumane, and hopes that the worst does not happen.
In the present context what we need is PEACE and the Peace is possible only when we stop the violence from both communities by starting dialogues and platforms for it.
As of now, the Government has initiated a judicial inquiry into the violence and there are FIRs filed against those people who made seditious statements. Hope that the government will take adequate steps to provide and deliver justice to those who have suffered. On the other hand, at present the European Union debate converts conflict into a Religious one.
But what is happening is not a Religious conflict. This is not between the Hindu-Meitei and Kuki-Christians nor does between the Non-Tribals and Tribals.
It is between those who are in support and against illegal immigrants, poppy plantation, and cultivation; therefore a separate administration is sought for and also those who are in favor of Manipur disintegration.
Whatever the demands, violence is not the solution. A peaceful democratic process must start without further delay.
But I personally feel that the Integrity of Manipur must not be destroyed at any cost because Manipur is not only for Meiteis nor does it for any one’s community but it is for all communities who have been living together for centuries. For the problems of immigrants’ influx in the state, the State and the Central government must take immediate steps to control with firm mechanisms.
The Union Govt. and the State Govt. and other competent authorities, armed forces of both center and state must deal without any bias and must take strong befitting action against those culprits at the earliest to provide Justice to the people immediately.
The situation in the state has turned awful and every individual must stop blaming games and victimizing roles in various social networks circulated by several individuals/groups against each other, as this would bring only sadness and violence and not good to anyone.
We all must look forward to bringing Peace, Love & Harmony instead of this gun and violence and separation culture.
Further, we must overcome our emotions and must prevail with truth and justice.
It is the need of the hours to help the victims of both the communities in and outside the state of Manipur with possible cares who has severely affected by this unfortunate incident.
Let us stop these inhumane acts and violence; we must give a chance for PEACE.
( Views mentioned are personal)
* Chongtham Thangamba Meetei wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer is President, Shillong Manipuri Students’ Union (SMSU), Laitumkhrah, Shillong
and can be contacted at thangamba(DOT)mee13(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on 19 July 2023.
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