TSA appeals to observe May 3 as Peace Day
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 02 2024: In an earnest appeal for unity and healing, the Thadou Students' Association (TSA) has advocated for the commemoration of May 3 as "Manipur Peace Day" in remembrance of the tragic violence that shook the state since last year, all victims of the violence, and to promote peace.

In a statement, TSA informed that the decision to observe May 3 as "Manipur Peace Day" was taken following critical reflections on the violence, nature and course of the crisis, the devastating impacts on the people, and after thoughtful deliberations and discussions on the commemoration of May 3, one of the darkest days in the history of Manipur and India when the tragic violence broke out last year.

"We also wish to encourage all to make this day an opportunity to seek and promote peace in the midst of violence, love in the midst of hatred, understanding in the midst of misunderstanding, reconciliation in the midst of rivalry, empathy in the midst of antipathy, justice in the midst of injustice, hope in the midst of hopelessness and light in the midst of darkness," the TSA statement said.

It further informed that the association draws this inspiration from the annual observance of August 6, the day the Japanese city of Hiroshima was bombed with world's first atomic bomb in 1945 during the World War II, as "Hiroshima Peace Day" by the Japanese to remember the more than 1.5 lakhs people whose precious lives were taken by the world's most tragic bombing, and to denounce war and promote global peace.

All people of the state have been greatly affected by the violence, but Thadou community, who has no political agenda whatsoever, has been the most affected, the statement said and added that they want this kind of violence never to happen again in the future to them or anyone else.

TSA has always advocated for peace and non-violent solutions to the ongoing crisis since the beginning of the conflict.

"We cannot simply wait for other people to come and make peace for us, but it should be the first collective duty and priority of all the people of the state, particularly members and leaders of the communities most affected by the violence, to make efforts to sort out our own problems and establish peace in the community," TSA continued.

Observing that without any doubt the loss and destruction since May 3 last year are irreparable and beyond any comprehension, TSA called upon all to no longer endure the violence and focus together on bringing back peace and normalcy, keeping aside differences and the different political demands.

The political demands should rather be pursued through non-violence and other democratic and political means.

People of the state, particularly those affected by the violence, must show resilience, and on this important day take a firm stance against violence and together strive for peace to rebuild the society with a spirit of mutual respect, love, understanding and reconciliation, it added.

"We would like to earnestly encourage and request all the aggrieved parties to rethink if commemorating the day in manners that is antagonistic to each other's community would either benefit the society in the long run or instead prolong the continuity of the already too long-conflict and bring more harm to the present society and future generations," TSA said.

The state has had enough violent conflicts in the past from which the people need to learn a lesson on the evil and futility of violence and communalism.

"Therefore, as we pray and honour the memory of those who have fallen victim to the tragic violence, and extend our deepest empathy to the survivors and their families, we fervently appeal to all the people of Manipur to retrospect and show our wisdom and courage to collectively and steadfastly denounce violence and promote peace on this day, this year, and in the future by observing it as Peace Day," the statement continued.

"We cannot change what has happened, but, surely, we can change the meaning of it and start a new chapter and build a better, stronger society, with a brighter future and opportunities for all," TSA said while adding that peace is the core element of strong and bold character, not of the weak and timid.

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