Thadous welcome Delhi dialogue
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 16 2024: The meeting in Delhi yesterday hosted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs is a positive step towards building lasting peace in Manipur and shun senseless violence, said the Thadou Community International today.

In a statement released to the media, the TCI said it welcomed the meeting and applauded the Ministry of Home Affairs for facilitating the "pivotal peace meeting participated by 20 MLAs from the Zo, Meitei and Naga communities of Manipur" .

"This initiative, which obviously is a part of the efforts to address the ethnic violence plaguing the State since May 3, 2023, should have happened sooner, however it should be appreciated and welcomed by all right thinking and peace-loving citizens, cutting across community or political affiliations," said the TCI.

Based on the press note of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on the meeting, it is heartening to know that the elected representatives "unanimously agreed to appeal to the people to shun violence and promote peace" .

"The meeting is a beacon of hope for Manipur's troubled landscape," it said.

All the MLAs who attended the meeting deserve praise for taking the right decision and showing their wisdom and leadership by demonstrating a willingness to lead the people out of the doldrums with a genuine sense of courage and truth, it added.

"Leaders must have the courage to tell the truth and give genuine hope to their people instead of giving misleading or deceptive messages with false hopes," the TCI said.

Whatever may be the aspirations and rightful demands of the different groups, violence is destructive and should not be the means.

Government authorities, media groups, community leaders and all concerned groups and people must put in greater collaborative efforts in telling the truth and spreading positive messages within the communities rather than inciting violence and spreading negative messages, narratives and rhetoric, it said.

"Violence in any manner must be shunned because more violence brings no gain but only more destruction and losses.

This is especially true of the Thadou people as we are the most affected, yet silenced victims caught up in the senseless violence," said the TCI.

Yesterday's Delhi meeting marked a crucial step towards healing wounds and bringing lasting peace and development in the State.

"TCI would like to encourage more such meetings in future not only between elected representatives but also between civil society organizations, community leaders, intellectuals, diasporas, and members of the general public," said the TCI.

Urging people of all communities to join hands in engaging in meaningful dialogues for amicable solutions in the larger interest of all the people, especially the most affected ones, TCI said, it remains committed to promoting peace, justice, and human rights.

"We believe that collective action and inclusive dialogues are essential to resolving the complex issues underlying the conflict," said TCI.

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