Imphal, February 10, 2010: In a move to resolve the several decades insurgency movement in Manipur, Senior Citizens for Society (SCS), Manipur has urged Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to take concrete steps to hold 'political dialogue' with all the underground organisations operating in Manipur.

Secretary of the SCS Khaidem Mani said that insurgency problem or armed conflict is the mother of all problems.

He urged the Central government to take a concrete initiative to hold 'political dialogues' with the insurgent groups of Manipur.

The Senior Citizen for Society, Manipur also said that it will apprise the insurgent organisations who are not engaging in any peace process wit the government to come to the negotiating table.

UNLF, KCP, RPF/PLA, UPPK, KYKL, PULF, PREPAK have not entered into any peace deal with the government so far.

In the memorandum, the SCS said.

"Today, Manipur is passing through a very critical juncture.

In this insurgency infested state the law and order is in shambles.

Widespread violence and bloodshed, rampant corruption and extortion, constant bandhs and blockades have become the order of the day.

In short, the present Manipur is in a state of chaos and anarchy.

In this situation, we the members of Senior Citizen for Society Manipur being unable to remain as mere spectators of the unfolding drama of violence and lawlessness any longer, consider it our duty to request you to do some concrete to save Manipur from the present chaotic situation.

Hence, we submit this memorandum".

The SCS memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh further states, "The present unrest and conflict situation in Manipur is largely due to the nagging problem of insurgency in the region.

Intense and continued effort of the government to contain insurgency during the last four decades has failed to bring about any positive result.

Now there are more than 30 insurgency groups operating in the state with all the adverse ramification to the people".

It then said that the people of Manipur are by and large in favour of peace and normalcy.

"But no lasting durable peace is possible without solving the problem of insurgency.

There can be no military solution to this problem.

This is the consensus and considered opinion of all right thinking people including eminent public figure, political leaders, top ranking officials of the Army, Police, Paramilitary forces, intellectuals and all stake holders.

Hence, in the present situation only pragmatic and ration way out to solve the problem of insurgency in the state is a free, frank and unconditional political dialogue between the government and the insurgency groups.

This is in consonance with the emerging global culture of dialogue for resolution of conflict.

In this regard, the Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur strongly feels that the commencement of the trilateral peace talks between the Central Government, the Government of Manipur and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), a conglomerate of 11 Kuki Chin Mizo militant outfits of Manipur under the Suspension of Operations (SOO) in the recent past are steps in the right direction to usher in peace and normalcy.

It is however regrettable that no serious and sincere initiative has been taken by the Government till date to bring the bigger valley based insurgency groups of Manipur to the negotiation table," the missive to the Prime Minister said.

Finally, the Senipr Citizen for Society said, "We, therefore earnestly request you to take concrete initiative for a political dialogue with the valley based insurgent groups operating in Manipur.

The process of initiation of the dialogue could be through a People's Consultation Committee drawn from among the eminent citizens and public figure in Manipur.

The services of the Senior Citizen for Society, Manipur is readily available if so required.

This is a very serious and urgent issue threatening the unity and solidarity of the Nation.

Political dialogue should be initiated by the Central Government as early as possible without any precondition and reservations, in order to avoid any further deterioration of the situation".

Comment