Bandh call, diktats concern Taragi Cheisu
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 06 2023: Urging all citizens, clubs, and Meira Paibis to refrain from adopting any mode of protest that may create misunderstanding, and weaken and hamper socio-economic activities of the toiling masses, Taragi Cheisu has expressed dismay over the frequent diktats of calling bandhs by local clubs and associations.

In a release, Taragi Cheisu chairman Khaidem Mani said that everyone is aware of the unparalleled threat that has been posed to the integrity of Manipur largely due to the sectarian pursuit of a section of people who harbour ethnocentric aspirations.

"In the wake of such a difficult moment, people should be resilient like never before.

Despite the emergent onslaught, the glorious spirit of inter-ethnic socio-cultural and political manoeuvring that we inherited from our ancestors must not be diminished in any form or manner," he said, while adding that the response of the peace-loving citizens, whose ethos are multicultural and plural, cannot be analogous to those whose politics is based on engineering hatred, ethnocentrism, and illegal economic practices.

To act with precision and being bounded by the collective wisdom is the most viable option left for the people whose progenitors were secular, democratic and defenders of collective freedom.

The people of Manipur, the Meiteis in this case, must perform this historical duty to defeat the sectarian forces who are indulging in hate campaigns, ethnic violence, playing propaganda of religion, implantation of new population, and illicit economies as channels of their myopic politics, he continued.

While stating that Taragi Cheisu believes in co-existence and unity of Manipur, Mani said that it works with the firm belief that the sectarian politics that has evidently challenged the inclusive political culture of Manipur can be certainly defeated by upholding the values of tolerance and spirit of collective decision-making.

The recent mushrooming of forums and associations and innumerable diktats issued by Leikai (local) bodies often affecting the entire state of Manipur not only calls for rethinking but also is largely unwarranted.

The Meitei brethren should have to act in congruence with a collective spirit of resilience inherited from their civilization, culture, and democratic political institutions.

The fraternal brothers and sisters in Manipur who have not been directly affected by the unprecedented violence since May 3 undoubtedly must play critical constructive role in bringing back normalcy in Manipur, Mani maintained.

While reiterating the stand of Taragi Cheisu against the fabrication and myopic ethnocentrism of the Kuki-Chin, Mani dissuaded Meitei brethren from imposing any bandh, blockade or launching other forms of protest that would seriously affect Manipur's collective interest and its long-term well-being.

The local issues can be best dealt with and resolved at local level while the issue that is of larger in nature must be undertaken only after thorough democratic consultation and should be the hallmark of politics of the land that is historically called Manipur, he added.

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