Leishemba exhorts Meitei and Kuki leaders to meet, talk
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 17 2023: While stating that the ongoing conflict is for protecting the future of indigenous communities of Manipur, Rajya Sabha MP and titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajao-ba remarked that so far, the Meiteis are only defending and not exactly engaging in the battle.

If the Meiteis were to seriously wage a war, the land will suffer hundred times its present suffering.

Thus, it is time for the indig enous communities to work together to pacify both sides, he asserted.

The MP made the statement as the chief guest at the 4th Ee Gee Khongul Leiba (Pukmen Paomenaba) programme of Meitei Pangal Ee Gee Khongul Liba Foundation Committee (MPEKLFC) Manipur at Sana Konung on Monday.

Sanajaoba continued that although the violence in Manipur may look like communal clashes on the surface, the truth is clear that it is not a communal or ethnic clash between two communities.

There is a need to understand the origin/cause of this prolonged violence.

The Meiteis were bound to face this war one day or the other.

Apart from the various reasons ^behind this war, the same is not just against the Meiteis but all indigenous communities.

Meiteis did not start this war and so far, the community has only been defending itself and not truly waging the war.

If the Meiteis were to get serious about the war, the situation will become hundred times worse that it is now, he cautioned, while urging for preventing such a scenario from happening.

Mentioning the spread of lies and propaganda amid the violence, he said that the truth can never be covered up.

However, there are also many among the Meitei who do not understand why the violence is raging, while some are taking advantage of the same to vent out their private disagreements.

There are those who had lost the polls and are now influencing/manipulating the naive people to further worsen the situation.

Thus, it would be best to put an end to the violence, he contended, while stating that the killing of a Maring lady on July 15 is the unwanted result of this war and stressed the need for all to condemn the incident.

"The incident occurred due to lack of familiarity between us.

It is extremely unfortunate that some amongst the Meiteis are unaware of the Maring community.

Anyone behaving barba -rously or taking the law into their own hands should be punished according to the law," he asserted.

Sanajaoba said that the innocent civilians of both communities and also the neutral communities are facing the impact of the violence and will continue to face more heat, as long as the violence continues.

He then said that the original Kuki natives will always remain close to his heart like his siblings.

The MP went on to say that the two communities have now refused to listen to each other, while both along with other indigenous communi ties are calling for peace, only in the newspapers.

Leaders of Meitei and Kuki need to meet and talk with each other to put an end to the prevailing violence.

If the leaders refused to do so, than the people should teach them a lesson regardless of whether they be -long to the Meitei or Kuki community.

Meitei will gladly accept this proposition for it wants peace and not war, in addition to living harmoniously with the 34-35 indigenous communities, like it has been doing so since time immemorial, he added.

Regarding the programme, Sanajaoba recounted that the Kaji Lois hang was set up by the monarchy for judicial matters of Meitei Pangal.

Manipur's monarchy worked closely with the Meitei Pangal community but after its merger to India, the Loishang ceased its operations.

Meitei Pangal drifted apart from Sana Konung for 20-30 years.

Four years ago, after reminiscing with Meitei Pangal elders, July 17 was set as a day for the Meitei Pangal to visit Sana Konung for talks, to build unity and stand together for the motherland.

The blood of the Meitei also flows in the veins'of Meitei Pangal and as such, it is unfortunate to see them being looked down upon and regard as non-indigenous when the bonds between the two communities are and always will be inseparable, he remarked.

The MP then emphasised the importance of blood relations especia lly amid the prevailing violence.

He further urged Meitei Pangal to continue using the indigenous surnames, adding that this specifies their uniqueness from other follows of Islam across the world.

The Meiteis will always stand alongside the Meitei Pangal, he said, while assuring to extend all possible help from his side with regard to any matter affecting the latter.

Presided over by MPEKLFC Manipur president Buyamayum Yaima Saha (Majid Ali), the programme was attended by Lilong Haoreibi College principal Dr Dolaipabam Raheujudin Sheikh (Samu) as guest of honour.

As part of the programme, a two minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to all those who have died due to the violence.

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