Ratan Thiyam, Guru Rewben appeal for restoration of peace
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, May 28 2023: Eminent theatre person-ality Dr Ratan Thiyam and popular Tangkhul Naga folk singer Guru Rewben Mashangva have appealed to every community to contribute their mite to the efforts for restoration of peace and normalcy in Manipur.

Speaking to the DIPR, Dr Ratan Thi-yam also appealed to the religious leaders of Manipur to take pro -active role in restoring peace and stability in the state.

"Considering the grave situation that Manipur is currently facing, all religious leaders from temples, masjids, churches, etc., should try to find out a means to restore peace.

I urge them to help the government in bringing both parties in the conflict to the negotiating table," he said.

The theatre legend further urged the Union government to show their gen-uine commitment and empathy during this time of crisis in the state.

Ratan Thiyam, Guru Rewben appeal for restoration of peace

He said, "It is my earnest request to the centre to continuously send different ministers one after another to study the situation and understand the ground reality." He further conveyed that common people are facing different hardships and they are immensely affected by price rise and scarcity of essential com-modities.

In such a critical juncture, all the learned experts of the government should deliver their best to find a way out of the present crisis, he observed.

Dr Ratan also appealed to all the min-isters and MLAs to visit the affected places and listen to the grievances of the people so as to assure that the state government is there to help them.

While opinion that the current sit-uation is due to discord between two communities, he appealed to both sides to calm down and come to the negoti-ating table.

The possibility of such an arrangement should be seriously looked upon by the state government, added the theatre personality.

Dr Ratan Thiyam also expressed his disappointment over the weakness of the intelligence network of the state.

He noted, "Had the intelligence alerted about the violence in time, the present situation could have been averted." He further appealed to all the peo-ple of Manipur, who have been liv-ing together as brethren since the last hundreds and thousands of years, to intervene in this critical scenario in Manipur's history to find a solution to bring peace again.

Meanwhile, Guru Rewben stated that the present crisis is not between religions.

"We heard that this crisis is between religions, or as between Meiteis and tribals, which are not true.

I cannot agree to this misconception," Guru Rewben said.

"Yes, there may be demands by one group or another, but that should be settled by the government based on justice.

This is not a fight about religion or between Meiteis and the tribals" .

"I am a Tangkhul.

I am from the hills and from Ukhrul.

And, it pains me to see all the hills of the state becoming barren due to deforestation.

As a result, it causes drying up of water bodies and we are facing acute shortage of water.

My appeal is to conserve forest land," he added.

Guru Rewben continued that he is very much part of the state govern-ment's 'War on Drugs' campaign as an artiste by producing music videos.