Gwaltabi, neighbouring villages reconcile
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 23 2015: A reconciliation public meeting was today held at Gwaltabi Community Hall located at the border of Imphal East and Ukhrul districts, following the conflict between the villagers of Gwaltabi and Manojang on March 20 at around 7 pm.

The public meeting was aimed at restoring peace and harmony in the area.

On March 20, a conflict escalated between the two villages over an argument caused by two youngsters who came in inebriated condition to buy pan from Gwal- tabi village.

As they misbehaved, the duo were rounded up by the locals of Gwaltabi.

The incident resulted in a tense stand-off between two neighbouring villages.

Today's reconciliation meeting was held at the initiative of Tellou Chana Seijang Gram Panchayat with a view to resolve the stand-off and restore harmony.

A community leader speaking at the reconciliation meeting

Village chiefs, leaders, Pradhan and other elders and local Meira Paibi of Mano-jang, Gwaltabi, Urangpat, Yaingangpokpi, Sabungkhok Seijang, Leimakhong Mapal, Tepland, K Khonong, K Vaipheijang, members from surrounding villages, various civil society organisations and some officers of Yaingnangpokpi and Lamlai Police Stations attended the public meeting.

Speaking at the meeting Pradhan L Dinesh stated that the incident was regrettable but the minor issue could have sparked hatred among different communities of the area.

He further called for support from the CSOs and intellectuals to bring peace and harmony in the area.

Sale and use of illicit drugs and alcohol should be banned in the area so as to minimize and avoid unwanted conflicts, asserted Urangpat village chief Limkhopao Mate and added that the people from different communities have been living in peace and harmony since time immemorial in the area.

He regretted that the dispute could have been avoided if the incident was reported to the concerned village authority in time.

He prayed that the recent incident be the last among various villagers of the area.

Chairman of Yaingangpokpi Village committee Saikhom Tomba called for he formation of a joint committee incorporating members from all the villages of the area to jointly address such unwanted incidents in future.

He urged not to motivate mob justice as it could create communal tensions in the area.

Secretary of Gwaltabi Village Committee, Mangijao said that all the people of various villages in the area need to chart out a plan and work on it to bring peace and harmony.

President of DESAM, Angamba urged the people to live in peace and harmony.

Meanwhile A Tomba, OC of Yaingangpokpi PS said that taking law into one's hand led to such incidents earlier.

He urged the people to inform police if there is any untoward incidents in future, and not to indulge in any act of mob justice.

Speaking by the sideline of the meeting, he urged the Home Dept to strengthen the Yaingangpokpi PS and upgrade it to the standard of a full-fledged police station.

Later the meeting agreed to reconcile and forget the incident of March 20, and form a peace committee comprising of leaders from various surrounding villages.

The meeting resolved that the committee should be informed first in the event of any unwanted or anti-social incidents.