People's consultation meet resolves
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 22 2016: Concerned leaders of different communities adopted 20 different resolutions, which they call Imphal Peace Declaration, to restore peace and understanding in the State at a people's consultation held at Hotel Imphal today.

The individuals who expressed their views at the consultation programme and appended signature on the resolution were Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani, Kuki Women Union president Rose Mangshi, All Manipur Reformation Development Samaj secretary Ramani, Muslim women leader Sitara Begum, Aram Pamei of Peace CoreTeam, JCILPS advisor Lourembam Nganbi, Kuki Inpi (Women Affairs) chairperson Tara Manchin Hangzo, Dr Priyoranjan of Manipur University, Rongmei Women Organization (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) president Pantibonliu Golmei, JAC against the Killing of Hatneikim Convenor Mina Chothe, Editor-in-Chief of Impact TV, Yumnam Rupachandra, North East Biography Forum and Panthoibi Cultural Research Centre founder KB Ingaremba, Dr Homen Thangjam of Maharaja Bodhachandra College, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network founder Binalakshmi Neparam, Hari Nepal of Irang Part-I, Kanglatombi Pradhan Shiva Basnet, ADC Member Vikas Basnet, All Manipur Gorkha Students Union general secretary Lok Adhikari and senior citizen N Bihari.

It was resolved in the consultation programme to recognise the grave situation in Manipur where different communities are living in a state of fear and misunderstanding following massive protests and counter protests following the passing of Manipur People's Protection Bill, 2015, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (7th Amendment) Bill and Manipur Shops and Establishment (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2015 .

The meeting resolved that much misunderstanding and miscommunication occurred as a result of the current situation and must be urgently addressed so that peace and normalcy returns.

Mothers of Manipur of different ethnic communities must come and work together for bringing the required peace to tackle what is an 'engineered conflict' by vested elements for political gains.

The meeting also acknowledged that all ethnic communities have a shared history and a shared destiny.

It was further resolved to support and work together for protection of indigenous people, with due discussion of all representation of native indigenous communities of Manipur, any issue arising on the same should be corrected and duly discussed.

Women of Manipur must be included in peace negotiation processes and reject any peace talk without women in the State in the North East region.

A new body christened Women Solidarity Forum for Peaceful Co-existence in Manipur was also formed at the meeting with two women representatives from each community of the State.

The body is to be non-partisan in nature with consultation from expert group/s to discuss the different issues.

It was also decided to convene the first consultation meeting for all women representatives including all ethnic groups to chart out common issues, problems and rectification for the same as well as for future actions and organize awareness, consultation meetings, dialogues, debates and discussion for peace building and development of Manipur.

The participants also resolved to refrain from disturbing the education of children for any demands of the people of Manipur and appeal to all concerned to refrain from involving children in any form of protests.

Understanding the current concerns of the people regarding the large scale influx, the participants also appealed for proper survey and fact finding in consultation with representatives from different affected communities.

The meeting also acknowledged the deep miscommunication of different communities of Manipur.

"We hereby resolve efforts need to be made and rectify this historical and policy errors so that there is understanding, compassion and empathy among different communities living in Manipur," said the declaration.

The meeting also recognized the historic participation of Manipur Gorkha community who share the history of the land for the last 200-300 years.

Their anguish on being questioned as citizens of Manipur was shared and they reiterated that they are proud to be citizens of Manipur and they vowed to protect the integrity of Manipur and work for peace and development of the State.

The meeting also appealed to the Government, policy makers and different civil societies to come out with a white paper on finding out the real facts on the different threats faced by indigenous people and influx into Manipur.

The meeting also recognized the struggle for the protection of indigenous people in Manipur.

The participants also resolved to stand for the movement in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Indigenous People.

Finally the meeting gave a clarion call to the Government of Manipur and India to come up with an alternative Bill that protects the rights of all indigenous people in Manipur and in the North East region.

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