Urgent call for peace, sanity pour in from different quarters
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 05 2023: Expressing grave concern over the unfolding law and order scenario in Manipur, several organisations and individuals including Lok Sabha MP Dr Lorho Pfoze, Mao Constituency MLA Losii Dikho, United Naga Council (UNC), Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC), Naga Women's Union (NWU) and others have appealed to the people of Manipur to end the cycle of violence immediately.

Urgent call for peace, sanity pour in from different quarters

Dr Pfoze
Dr Lorho S Pfoze, Lok Sabha MP, Outer Manipur Constituency has made an earnest appeal to all communities of Manipur to set aside their differences and stand together at this critical juncture.

In a statement, the MP expressed sadness upon witnessing the recent turn of events which has broken the relative peace in the State and throttled the sensibility of the people who believe in love and peace.

He strongly condemned the violent acts of targeting innocent civilians, arson, vandalizing private and public properties, destruction of religious institutions etc.

The Lok Sabha MP went on to urge the State Government to be sensitive and take control of the situation while opining that agreeable solutions can be brought only when issues are discussed openly with all stakeholders of the State sitting across the table.

"You can win the trust of all the people when you have all sections of the people on board", he maintained.

Further, the MP appealed to the Central Government to extend appropriate help to bring the State back to normalcy.

Urging people to remember the adage that hatred only begets hatred and violence only begets violence, he called upon the people to break the cycle of hatred and violence by acts of love.

L Dikho
Mao Constituency MLA L Dikho has appealed to Governor Anusuiya Uikey to evacuate the families and students from the sensitive areas.

Thanking the Central Government and Indian Army for their intervention to bring the situation under control, L Dikho appealed to the people to contribute in restoring peace.

COCOMI
Perturbed over the loss of lives and destruction of properties amid the volatile situation, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has appealed to every Manipuri to shun violence.

In a statement, COCOMI appealed to all the ethnic communities to understand what triggered the unrest in Manipur.

Saying that it is only the common people, innocent women and children and the people who have been victimised by the violence, COCOMI appealed to all Manipuris to control their angst so as to restore peace and normalcy in the State.

Further appealing to every Manipuri to comprehend the constant attempts being made to disturb the emotional integrity of the ethnic communities, COCOMI asked the State Government to bring the situation under control as soon as possible.

COCOMI also appealed to one and all to extend help to the inmates at relief camps.

UNC
The United Naga Council expressed their concern over the series of mob violence taking place in different parts of Manipur and urged the Government to restore peace.

A press release issued by UNC said that the Council never endorse nor encourage any agitation other than taking part in peaceful demonstrations.

Saying that instances of mob violence, destruction of properties and places of worship was disturbing, the UNC said that such tragic acts of violence will only harm the ethnic community.

Condemning the series of violence which has been taking place in Manipur, the UNC appealed to the people of Manipur to refrain from engaging in violent activities.

MBC
The Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) also appealed to one and all to choose the way of peace despite all provocations.

In a statement signed by its general secretary Rev K Losii, the MBC said that there will be no winner in violence.

Continuing that the consequences of violence are borne by innocent people only, the MBC appealed to all communities to practice restraint.

The MBC further said that places of worship must be kept as places of refuge irrespective of religions.

Further appealing to the people to abandon this 'senseless' and 'mindless' violence, it urged the State Government to provide protection to the victims of the violence.

It went on to appeal to the Government to find a solution to the current imbroglio at the earliest.

Every effort must be made to provide relief to the people stranded in the relief camps, the MBC said.

WMC
The World Meetei Council (WMC) has also sounded an urgent call for peace.

A press release issued by WMC appealed to the Centre and the State Government to bring the situation in Manipur under control without delay.

The Council also appealed to one and all to not target any religious establishments and people.

NWU
The Naga Women's Union (NWU) has also urged the authorities concerned to restore normalcy in the State.

A press release issued by NWU president Asha Wungnam said that the unfolding situation in Manipur is unbearable to them as peace loving mothers.

Condemning the series of violence taking place in Manipur, the NWU appealed to every ethnic community of the State to contribute in de-escalating the situation. The NWU then prayed for peace to prevail in Manipur.

The Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup (SANULAL), Singjamei Chingamakha and the Working Committee-Khwairamband Ima Keithel have denounced the spate of violence that has erupted across the State and raised the call for peace and harmony between different communities.

A statement issued by Shanti Akoijam, general secretary, SANULAL expressed anguish over the scores of houses torched and innocent civilians killed/injured in the aftermath of the Tribal Solidarity March of May 3 .

It urged all citizens to restore peace and harmony to ensure that such unfortunate incidents do not repeat themselves in future.

Separately, a statement issued by the Working Committee-Khwairamband Ima Keithel has called upon the State Government to take up steps to restore normalcy in the State.

The Committee also appealed to all political parties and civil society organisations to come together in view of the situation and discuss what set off the unrest and explore ways to bring the volatile situation under control.

The Committee has also shared the pain of those who suffered injuries and loss of valuable property.

MMWO
Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation (MMWO) appealed to the people of Manipur to set aside their differences, if any, for peace to return in Manipur.

In a statement MMWO also stressed on the need of all civil society organisations to work together to end the cycle of violence.

It further appealed to the Centre and the State Government to work at their level best to restore normalcy.

AIT-e-I
The Manipur State Council of All India Tanzeem-e- Insaaf (AIT-e-I) too sounded the call for cessation of violence.

The organisation asked the State Government to extend all possible help to the affected families at relief camps.