Roles of people in conflict situation discussed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 09 2011: The of the people in bringing an end to the conflict situation in the state was discussed today in a public discussion session organized by the Freedom Research Foundation at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

Taking part as resource person of the discussion, associate professor Chinglen Meisnam of Economic Department, Manipur University said that people of the state are suffering long enough due to the prolonged conflict between government and revolutionaries.

To bring an end to the conflict and to bring about a change, people's intervention has become a much.

Unable to draw the conflicting groups to a negotiating table is the weakness of the people of the state, he asserted.

Dr Dhanabir Laishram of MU observed that before initiating a peace talk between the two conflicting parties, a well preparation for the same is needed, pointing out the GoI-NSCN(IM) peace talk is still going on unending because it lacks prior preparation.

Even though the role of the intellectuals and senior citizens of the state has a great role to take part in ending the present conflicting situation, they could not and expressed the truths behind the origin of the conflict.

Social societies also need to work sincerely, he observed.

Advocate Khaidem Mani compared the present Manipuri society to that of a patient suffering from cancer observing the lack of respect among the people.

When some groups threaten individuals with bombs and guns in the name of revolutionaries, a stage in which revolutionaries separated from the people would be coming up in the near future if such acts is allowed to continue further.

Over 27 laky people are made suffering by the prevailing situation but only a few people are shouting for ending the conflict.

People are yet to come to a common platform.

People are living under a "colonial democracy" by imposing draconian law AFSPA.

On the other hand, he added, revolutionaries are fighting for Manipur's independent from the Indian Union.

But, if there struggle is not targeted to deliver freedom to the people, it will be a meaningless one.

If India government agreed to the proposal of holding plebiscite, it will be a good step towards ending the conflict situation.

President of India can seek opinion from the Supreme Court on whether plebiscite can be held under Article 143 (2) of the Indian Constitution.

People of the state can pressurize the President to seek opinion of the Supreme Court for holding a plebiscite in Manipur.

From the political parties' side also, they can adopt a resolution in the state Assembly and submit the same to the President, he suggests.

In the discussion, which was moderated by RK Ranendrajit of Freedom Research Foundation, former MHRC member, RK Rajendro, prof Soiyam Priyadharshini Gangte of Philosophy Department, MU, lieutenant colonel (retired) Dr T Hemo, New Editor, BB Sharma of AIR Imphal, former president, Th Mangi of UPF, vice president Johnson Elangbam of IPSA, N Bimola of MAPI Council were talked as resource persons among other.

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