Peace possible through dialogue process: Khemchand
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 29 2023: RD & PR and MAHUD minister Y Khemchand has said that the existing mistrust between the Meetei and the Kuki-Zo communities will be hard to mend even if Central leaders intervene but steps for peace might come if there is a stage for holding dialogues.

The minister, however, appealed to the warring communities to exercise maximum restraint to allow peace to prevail and the mistrust amended.

As mistrust between the two communities exists, security forces have maintained buffer zones at fringe areas to prevent Ku-ki-Zo militants from venturing into valley areas and Meeteis from foraying to the hills.

Creation of strict buffer zones by the government force is one main reason for significant reduction in firing and clash in fringe areas, Khemchand said, while attending the closing function of a 20-day cultural workshop for displaced children held at the Manipur College relief camp.

The cultural workhop on music, dance, Thang-Ta and self-defence for displaced children staying at Shymasakhi School relief camp, Moirangkhom and Manipur College relief camp, Singjamei were voluntarily conducted by Rajkumari Panthoi Devi (MA violin), Ngasepam Diana Chanu (MA Thang-Ta) and W Sanatomba (MA music-vocal) .

Addressing the gathering, minister Khemchand said that he had gone to assess the violence hit Serou-Sugnu area in the initial phase of the violence that erupted on May 3 and found more than 7,000 people affected by the violence staying at different places in pitiable conditions.

Saddened after witnessing the displaced people in such conditions, a decision of my own was taken to open a relief camp in Singjamei AC and accordingly opened a relief camp at Manipur college and sheltered the displaced people, Khemchand said, adding that he has been extending whatever help from his side in running the relief camp properly.

Regarding the workshop, Rajkumari Panthoi said it was organised specifically to reduce stress and trauma of children affected the violence and also to promote performing art forms amidst the prevailing situation.

She said that the workshop was a huge success and displaced children seem to have been benefited a lot from it.

The function was also attended by Manipur College principal Dr Sambunath, Manipur State Kala Akademi awardee Laimayum Devendrajit and Manipur Huyen Lalong Thang-Ta Cultural Academy, Irilbung director Padmashree K Sanathoiba Sharma.

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