CSOs resolve to knock Modi's door, say PM's silence betrays Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 05 2024:
As many as 19 civil society organisations have lined up a protest rally in New Delhi on December 22, 2024 under the theme 'peace and mutual coexistence'.
The CSOs also held a joint meeting at Sangai Hotel here today and adopted several resolutions, conveyed a joint statement issued by the CSOs.
The meeting resolved to form a 50-member delegation comprising representatives from all ethnic communities of Manipur to seek an audience with the Prime Minister of India between December 22 and 26, 2024 to discuss pathways for peace and reconciliation.
As a preparatory step, a two-member team will visit the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on December 16, 2024, to formally submit a request for this crucial meeting.
"We hope that the Prime Minister, recognising the plight of the people of Manipur, will grant this appointment and take concrete steps to resolve the crisis", said the joint statement.
The meeting unanimously resolved to hold a rally/demonstration in New Delhi on December 22, 2024 under the theme 'peace and mutual coexistence' to raise awareness about the need for reconciliation in Manipur.
This rally, being organised with the cooperation of the Manipuri Diaspora in Delhi, is a call to awaken the conscience of the Nation and urge the Prime Minister to break his silence on Manipur.
It is a call to remind him of his duty to protect the lives and dignity of every Manipur People, it said.
The CSOs decried that the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the ongoing crisis in Manipur since May 3, 2023, has left the people of this war-tom State deeply anguished and disillusioned.
For over 18 months, Manipur has been engulfed in ethnic strife, leading to untold suffering, displacement, and a breakdown of social harmony.
Yet, the Prime Minister of India, who has the Constitutional and moral responsibility to address the grievances of the citizens, has chosen to remain silent.
This indifference raises serious questions about his commitment to the unity and well-being of Manipur, the CSOs said.
It is deeply ironic and disappointing that Prime Minister Modi, on his numerous foreign tours, consistently speaks about world peace and calls for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, yet he has not uttered a single word about the turmoil and violence in Manipur.
While advocating for global reconciliation, his silence on a domestic crisis of such magnitude betrays the trust and hope of the people of Manipur, the CSOs asserted.
They went on to question how the Prime Minister of India can speak peace abroad while ignoring the cries of his own people at home.
The joint meeting resolved to urge the Government of India to initiate a peace process aimed at ending the ongoing conflict and fostering dialogue among all stakeholders in Manipur.
It further resolved to call upon the Government of India to prioritize the resettlement of all internally displaced persons (IDPs), ensuring they return safely to their respective homes and lands.
The CSOs also resolved to work in solidarity with all communities, civil society organizations, and stakeholders to promote peace, security, and mutual coexistence in Manipur, with the vision of rebuilding trust and harmony across ethnic lines.
These resolutions serve as a unified call for action, urging both the people of Manipur and the Government of India to work toward a peaceful and prosperous future for all, the CSOs asserted.
A similar meeting was held on October 12, 2024 at Classic Grande and sought to address the current crisis and chart a path toward lasting peace and reconciliation.
The meeting held today was participated by representatives of Committee of Peaceful Coexistence, Manipur (CPCM), Meetei/Meitei Tribe Union (MMTU), Federal Students' Organisation, Kangleipak (FESOK), United Meitei Pangal Committee (UMPC), Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF), Committee on Relief & Rehabilitation (CRR), Kanglei Panas (KP), Yelhoumee Phurup (YP), Apunba Awonba Manipur Amagidamak (AAMA), All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), All India Tanzeeme Insaaf (AITI), Struggling Women Association (SWA), All Manipur Student Guardian Organisation (AMSGO), Imagi Meira (IM), All Manipur Meitei Pangal Clubs' Organisation (AMMPACO), Meipak Ningthou Committee (MNC), Youth Collective Manipur (YCM), Nupi Union For Peace and Integrity (NUPI) and Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC) .