Dialogue the only way forward : COCOMI
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 06 2023:
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has appealed to the people in both the hills and the valley to cooperate in defusing the prevailing tension.
Speaking to reporters today at a place at Wangkhei, media coordinator of COCOMI, Somorendro Thokchom said meaningful dialogues between all parties concerned is the only way to restore normalcy and bring peace.
"It is universally agreed that any form of violent conflict cannot be resolved through violent means.
To resolve the conflict, all parties must engage in meaningful dialogues," he said.
Somorendro said more flames are being added into the tension by false propaganda and fake news spread through paid and vested news channels which attempt to justify actions of terrorism towards each other.
Such propaganda and the fake news that add fuel to the tension have severely impacted the psychological/mental state of the entire population putting them on edge.
He said it may take another generation to repair the damages that have been inflicted by the conflict.
"COCOMI is trying its best to defuse the tension and resolve the conflict at the earliest with all possible means.
To do so, it is a priority for both sides to initiate a dialogue including all stakeholders and leaders of communities to reduce tension and unwarranted attacks on the innocent public and their properties," Somorendro said.
COCOMI feels that the first corrective step should be to begin a reconciliation process with constructive dialogue.
The State Government should also deploy sufficient security personnel in all sensitive areas to restore normalcy and instill a sense of security to all the local population.
Secondly, it is of extreme importance that the anxiety and tension of the public be reduced by rescuing and evacuating the people stuck in various army camps and police stations under mutually agreed terms and mode of operations.
This can be arrived at only through a peaceful dialogue between the responsible parties, Somorendro added.
The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) and Kuki CSOs should also make a holistic approach to armed groups engaged in the conflict to retreat and shun all alleged hostilities towards civilians and other parties.
At the same time, COCOMI will also appeal to all the volunteers and people on the other side to shun all alleged hostile activities, he said.
Meanwhile, all sections of people should allow essential and emergency services in the affected regions and give the people a sense of relief, he said urging all concerned to allow humanitarian aid including food, water and medicine to reach all those stuck in the army camps and police stations.
Urging the public and all stakeholders to consider COCOMI's reconciliation plan, he appealed to all to initiate a dialogue at the earliest in good spirit for lasting peace.