Striving for peace and normalcy : Mission of peace in Manipur
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: October 06 2015 -
The endeavour for peace and normalcy. For months now, Manipur has been in a state of siege.
If the valley was practically paralysed for close to two months demanding an effective legislation to check the large scale entry of non-local people into the soil of Manipur, the hills, particularly Churachand-pur district went up in flames after the State Assembly passed three Bills on August 31.
Ten people have so far died, one during the demand to enact a legislation to check the entry of non-local people and nine in the protest against the three Bills passed by the State Assembly.
An issue which should have ideally united the indigenous people is today tearing apart the fabric of society with voices raised for a separate political arrangement for the hills.
However amid the disturbances and the suspicion amongst the different communities, it is heartening to see some efforts being put in to restore peace and normalcy amongst the people.
The Sangai Express had earlier suggested that Church leaders and elders may step in to calm the outraged people and to give peace a chance, since most of the hill people are Christians and it was heartening to see the United Christian Women, Manipur embarking on the ‘Mission of Peace in Manipur.’
Not all may subscribe to the idea of praying for peace, but it stands that prayers can go a long way in calming the senses and this is what Manipur needs right now.
Let prayers be on the lips of everyone for no religion teaches violence and hatred.
It is also heartening to see that schools have re-opened at Churachandpur for the future of the land and the people belongs to the education of the youngsters.
Difficult to say whether people will take note of the peace prayers being championed by some people but this is nevertheless an encouraging sign.
Prayer is much more than turning to the God of one’s belief, but is also a spiritual exercise which can have a calming effect. Calm, this is what Manipur needs now.
The confrontationist attitude of the people needs to be replaced by understanding and the willingness to listen to the viewpoints of others for no two people will think alike.
For too long the people have lost precious time and what is most disturbing is the fact that inter-community relationship has been stretched to the limit.
This is a point which everyone should ponder over. Whatever misgivings or misunderstandings there might be, it is undeniable that the future of the indigenous people are all linked and cannot be separated.
The need to realise that all the people have a common future is something which should not be forgotten at any point of time.
It is the refusal to embrace this truth that has led to the present situation.
Time also right for the people to sideline all the venom spewing elements whose only claim to fame is to incite suspicion and hatred amongst the people.
Let the peace prayer proceed and let its sound reverberate across the State.
Let the young students also continue with their academic pursuit without any disturbance.
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