Peace Committee unlikely to reap fruit: FRP
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 13 2023: The state level Peace Committee constituted with the Governor as the head lacks the very notion of peace and is much focussed on funds, with semblances of politicisation at the highest level.

The Committee will never be successful unless there is a representation each from the 34 communities settling in the state, said Forum for Restoration of Peace (FRP) convenor Ashang Kasar.

Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club here Tuesday, Ashang said that FRP had proposed for the formation of a state level peace committee during union home minister Amit Shah's visit to the state.

The Forum further proposed for the Committee to be headed by the Governor and having one each representative from the 34 communities and one each from the CSOs, while excluding MLAs/ministers.

The main reason for this is to ensure members of the peace committee are neutral third parties.

As such, the inclusion of those in the ruling government will lower the success rate of the Committee, which was conveyed to the union home minister.

However, the committee could not be formed even after 10 days since the home minister's visit.

Thus, when NEDA convenor and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived in the state on June 10, the peace committee was formed the next day after much urging.

Unfortunately, no member of FRP was included in the Committee but those who do not want peace were appointed as members of the Committee.

Being part of the Committee is not important, he stated, adding that the goal of FRP is to bring peace to the state.

Observing the objections raised over the peace committee, Ashang emphasised the importance of having a neutral third party as its members, while adding that it would be difficult to restore peace in the state.

He continued that Manipur is currently in a serious state.

To restore peace in the state, FRP has been trying to meet community leaders and is preparing to meet the PM as well.

He reiterated the importance of having a neutral third party with regard to the prevailing violence, while further emphasising the need for sincere efforts in restoring peace in Manipur.

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