Consultation on peace process held
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, April 27 2013 : A one day Manipur tribal people peace process consultative meet was held today at Grace Bible College here with eminent scholars, community leaders, CSOs, philanthropic organisations, NGOs, student and religious leaders substantially attending it from morning till the evening.

The Zomi Human Rights Foundation sponsored consultation discussed 'Roadmap to peace and tranquillity in the context of Manipur hill areas through a theological perspective' with Th Mangthianlal President and CEO, Glocal Volunteer presenting a paper on the topic.

He said confession and mutual forgiveness would be a must for former conflicting parties to live together in a new future of peace and for all to enjoy peace and tranquility.

Dr Leban Serto, a peace activist and Asst Professor at Martin Luther University, Shillong made a presentation on 'Building Peace in Manipur and Northeast India' .

He said that development, reconciliation, unity (multicultural unity as opposed to unipolar unity) and peace cannot be achieved without challenging the dreadful silence in the region.

He further argued that empowering the people would be a necessary pre-requisite for building peace.

Many Government programs are not effective because those served, often poor and illiterate, have no power to deal with their public servants.

Many feel that they have the right to get as much as they can since they have been downtrodden and exploited.

Unless a new attitude emerges, people will continue to distrust their Government and continue to be exploited, he said.

Changing perception of the others was another argument Dr Serto advocated for building peace.

Accepting as legitimate others narrative, a will to critically examine one's own group's action towards other groups, a will to experience and show empathy and trust towards the others, and a deposition to engage in non-violent activities are some of the basis of his arguments.

Dr Sonthang Haokip, Asst Professor, Moirang College presented a paper on 'Suspension of Operation (SoO): Will it bring permanent peace.' He said to sustain peace in the region; both the Government at the Centre and in the State should give up delaying-tactics of playing politics with the two armed SoO signatories (UPF and KNO), so that the hard earned peace is not distorted.

'Everything has its limit.

Patience for more than seven long years does not mean weakness but the determination of the people for ultimate peace and without any logical conclusion, the prospects of peace in doomed.

Therefore, it is time that the Government puts its promise into action,' opined Dr Haokip.

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