Unceasing violence: FRP lashes out at State Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 31 2023: Even after nearly 8 months since the violent conflict erupted on May 3, gun battles between warring commu-nities have not ceased.

The State Government clearly doesn't have the political will to control and stop the violence, said the Forum for Restoration of Peace.

Speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club, Imphal today, the forum's convenor, Ashang Kasar said every now then, there is gun-battle at the foothills between the warring groups.

The cry for peace in Manipur has fallen on deaf ears.

The Forum for Restoration of Peace, in the hope of restoring peace and tranquillity, is running from pillar to post by attending peace rallies in different parts of Manipur, he said.

Today, the conflict between Meiteis and Kukis has completed 7 months 29 days.

At this critical juncture, there is a need for constituting a "Truth and Reconci- liation Commission" as done in South Africa, Ashang said.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in SA was created to investigate human rights violations perpetrated during the period of the Apartheid regime from 1960 to 1994.Creation of such a Truth and Reconciliation Commission with a peace mediator is the need of the hour as the nature of the ethnic conflict has become very complex, he said.

Ashang said the forum has been working round the clock with various stake-holders to arrive at an amicable solution between the two disputing parties.

The forum has taken a peace campaign to the National capital, Delhi and met with Central leaders including Union Ministers and many mainland intellectuals.

"It is very painful to learn the indifferent and lukewarm response of the Central Government with regard to the current turmoil in the State.

To make matters worse, the State Government does not have the political will to control and stop the violence.

Rather, it seems to be acting in a partisan manner," Ashang said.

He asserted that the two warring groups, the Meitei and the Kuki communities have failed to listen to the peace initiative of the forum.

CoTU, a conglomerate of Kuki CSOs, has outrightly rejected any peace slogan by insisting that the solution should come first before peace, Ashang said.

Ashang said he called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah when he visited the State from May 28 to 31 and submitted a memorandum for restoration of peace and normalcy.

As proposed, a peace committee was put in place with the Governor as the convenor.

But the peace committee never saw the light of the day due to its "faulty compositions" .

There are "odd men" in the peace committee, Ashang said.

Ashang said the forum has called on the Governor and the Chief Minister and submitted written representations to them for restoration of peace at the earliest.

"The Forum for Restoration of Peace is making a passionate appeal to the people of the State with folded hands to work collectively for ushering in peace and normalcy," Ashang said, extending greetings to the people of Manipur for a blissful, happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

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