Role of CSOs in peace building deliberated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 10 2025: Even as Manipur continues to grapple with a prolonged conflict since May 3, 2023, women civil society leaders and professionals from the three major communities of the State deliberated on the role of CSOs in peacebuilding.

The online discussion, held on the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8, under the title "Peace as the Basic Foundation for Progress in Manipur-Role of Civil Society Organisations," featured prominent speakers including Shangnaidar Tongan, Nonibala Narengbam, Biso-ya Loitongbam and Dr C Lalbiakdiki, with Biswanath Sinha as the moderator.

The discussion, organised by the North East Together (NET) and Chitra Singha Foundation, Tripura, provided deep insights into the challenges and opportunities for peace in Manipur, the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the need for a community-led approach to reconciliation.

A history of conflict and hope: The perspective of Shangnaidar Tongan .

Shangnaidar Tongan from Weaker Sections Development Council, Manipur is a peace activist from the Khoibu sub-tribe of the Naga community, shared her personal experiences of conflict, dating back to the Naga-Kuki conflict of the 1990s, which saw her ancestor's village burned to the ground.

While she acknowledged the deep despair and economic uncertainty created by the latest wave of violence among the Meitei and Kuki communities, she pointed out that conflicts have increased inter-community understanding in some ways.

"This conflict has made us learn about the values and experiences of each community which we would have not taken seriously otherwise," she said.

However, she noted that CSOs have struggled to work openly on peace due to "threats" from armed militancy groups.

She advocated for an indirect approach to peacebuilding, emphasizing the creation of environments conducive to dialogue rather than directly engaging in overt peace efforts.

"In many cases, mentioning 'peace' itself is seen as risky.

We work within conflict rather than on conflict, fostering conditions where communities can listen to each other," she stated.

Tongan emphasized that women have played a crucial role in supporting communities through crisis, yet their efforts remain under-recognized.

She called for more safe spaces for inter-community exchanges, where women from different ethnic groups could share their experiences.

The role of women in peacebuilding: Nonibala Narengbam's perspective.

Nonibala Narengbam from Integrated Rural Development Service Organisation, discussed the challenges faced by women-led peace initiatives in the current political climate.

As an active member of Women in Governance (WING), she stressed that women from all communities have played vital roles in crisis response, relief efforts, and community mediation.

However, she noted that polarization in Manipur has significantly shrunk the space for dialogue, making it difficult for CSOs and peace groups to mediate effectively.

She urged CSOs to create platforms for grassroots storytelling, allowing affected communities to share their lived experiences.

"Right now, discussing peace openly is a challenge.

But through storytelling and shared narratives, we can begin to rebuild trust," Narengbam said.

She highlighted traditional ties, including intermarriages and shared festivals, as potential bridges for reconciliation.

Healthcare and the humanitarian crisis: Dr C Lalbiakdiki's on-ground experience .

Dr C Lalbiakdiki, a medical doctor from Churachandpur, spoke about the collapse of healthcare services in conflict-affected areas, particularly in southern Manipur.

She shared harrowing accounts of patients forced to travel long distances to Aizawl, Guwahati, or Delhi due to the unavailability of even basic medical care.

Despite the violence, she noted that professional relationships between doctors, nurses, and other frontline workers from different ethnic groups have largely remained intact.

This, she believes, is one of the few hopeful signs amid the crisis.

"There have been cases where medicines were smuggled in cars, hidden under carpets, to ensure patients got treatment.

Even in times of conflict, people find ways to help each other," she said.

Dr Lalbiakdiki suggested that professionals in healthcare, law enforcement, education, and social security services continue working together despite political divides, ensuring that essential services are accessible to all communities.

Bringing back peace and progress: The development perspective of Bisoya Loitongbam.

Bisoya Loitongbam, a professional working in National healthcare projects like 10BedICU, provided a broader perspective on the State's development trajectory.

She reflected on how Manipur was once considered a rising star in India's small-State rankings but has now regressed significantly due to the prolonged conflict.

She identified four key pathways for a sustained peacebuilding process: 1) Dismantling 'Buffer Zones' - Restrictions on movement between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities have deepened the divide.

2) Managing misinformation - The conflict has been exacerbated by selective and misleading narratives, leading to greater distrust.

3) Rebuilding social capital - CSOs must focus on restoring lost networks between communities, independent of political and market forces.

4) Rehabilitation of internally displaced people (IDP) - Relief camps must transition towards sustainable economic reintegration strategies as State led policies are ineffective.

She also criticized the lack of coordination among donors and aid organisations, noting that many international agencies withdrew support due to perceived political biases.

"We need to learn from past conflicts, like the Naga-Kuki conflict and the Rohingya crisis, to design better long-term solutions," she remarked.

Key takeaways and recommendations made in the discussion:

1) Strengthening Civil Society Organizations - CSOs must play a neutral yet proactive role in fostering reconciliation through community dialogue, economic rehabilitation, and shared cultural initiatives, suggested the women leaders.

2) Addressing the IDP crisis - The Government must revise restrictive relief policies, allowing IDPs to rebuild their lives without losing essential aid.

3) Restoring essential services - Healthcare, education, and law enforcement agencies must ensure access to services across ethnic divisions, preserving professional relationships.

4) Managing conflict narratives - Greater efforts are needed to counter misinformation and promote balanced reporting.

5) Encouraging women-led peace efforts - Women's groups must be empowered to lead mediation and storytelling-based reconciliation initiatives.

The discussion reinforced the critical role of civil society organisations in ensuring that "peace becomes the foundation for Manipur's progress" .

"While deep-seated distrust and violence persist, grassroots initiatives provide hope for rebuilding broken ties.

As the State navigates one of its most challenging periods, collaboration between communities, professionals, and civil society actors will be key to a lasting resolution," opined the leaders.

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