EMA appeals for peace and reconciliation
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 16 2023:
European Manipuri Association, a pan-Europe-an organisation comprising all ethnic groups inclusive tribals and Meiteis of Mani-pur residing in the UK and the Europe, appealed for peace and reconciliation in Manipur.
In a release, EMA Execu-tive Committee member Sa - golsem Biramani regretted that as a result of the clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities, over 49,000 individuals have been dis-placed and scores of loved ones lost.
Citing data collected from multiple sources, the As-sociation said 49,000 or so internally displaced per-sons (IDPs), as of May 14, are being sheltered in many government recognised re-lief camps in different parts of valley and hill districts.
Of these, nearly 38,000 are from the Meitei community and over 11,000 from the Kuki community.
EMA urged all armed groups and other organi-sations continuing to affect communities in the lmphal valley and beyond as well as blockading the National Highways in 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 hu-manitarian crisis which will worsen with the current blockade of the NHs.
The destruction of the state water supply system and the continued arson and violence involving heavily armed individuals will lead to a worsening crisis and loss of several more lives and fracturing the beautiful state of Manipur," it said.