Consultative meet on co-existence winds up
Settle internal issues here : KIM president
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 22 2015: The three day consultative cum cultural programme on 'peaceful co-existence among indigenous people of Manipur' held at GM Hall under the aegis of AMKIL, EECHAL and NIPCO concluded today.

Speaking at the gathering, Angam Zatung said that people of Manipur have been living together since time immemorial and they would carry on this past legacy to the future.

At one point of time, an artificial wall of segregation was created following proselytization of a large section of plain people into Hinduism.

Although this wall of segregation has been vanishing day by day, people of Manipur still need a social reformation.

All sections of people must follow the dictum, "Let us forget and forgive", Zatung said.

"There should be no room for negative thinking and we should give up the habit of making irresponsible statements on public platforms", he asserted.

Candle being lit at GM Hall to mark the consultative meeting

KIM president Thangkhosei Haokip said that all issues pertaining to Manipur and its people should be resolved within the State and no room should be given for external forces to interfere in the internal affairs of Manipur.

The proposal to resolve the internal issues of Manipur at Delhi needs a serious re-thinking, he added.

The unfortunate incidents that took place at Moreh and Churachandpur in the course and after the ILPS movement were really tragic.

There was a strong suspicion that the some external hand was involved in the two incidents.

At the same time, all sections of people should stop making provocative statements against any community, added Thangkhosei Haokip.

Meaningful peaceful co-existence can be achieved only when the smallest communities do not feel any sense of insecurity, said Thangkhosei Haokip.

Ibemcha Leima reminded that Manipur has a very long history and throughout history all the indigenous communities of Manipur were living in peace and harmony.

Following proselytization into Hinduism followed by British colonialism and ultimately Manipur's merger with the Indian Union, some external forces have been following policies of exploitation and subjugation.

The consultative meet was specifically organised to bring together all the ethnic communities with a spirit of "lets forget and forgive" so that all the indigenous communities can safeguard their identities, culture and traditions and at the same time, stand united against all external forces.

The gathering culminated with presentation of traditional dance and music of different ethnic groups.

AMKIL president Phanjoubam Sakhi Leima, EECHAL president T Ibemhal Leima, NIPCO president M Medun Maring, senior citizen RV Mingthing, Kuki Inpi Manipur president Thangkhosei Haokip, Konthoujam Mamang Tribal Development Committee chairman Sana Gangmei, Hill Tribal Literary Union Manipur general secretary Angam Zatung and former Editor Ema Leibak Md BM Rashid Ali attended the closing function as presidium members.