Peace convention held at Delhi
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 13 2016:
Some concerned citizens of Manipur organised a dialogue for peace and reconciliation on June 11 at Deputy Speaker's Hall, Constitution Club, New Delhi.
The convention reiterated that Manipur is a land of multi-ethnic communities consisting of Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis, Zomis, Gorkhas, Punjabis, Tamil, Marwaries etc and that the concerned communities should ensure that all communities live with peace, harmony and dignity.
According to a statement issued by the organisers, the Convention also recognised the concerns of hill people of Manipur, their reservations and fears towards the 3 Bills and resolve to work to ensure that a solution is brought about.
The convention also strongly appealed to the organisers of the ongoing protests to ensure that no students below the age of 18 is used in protests as it amounts to violation of child rights convention and that medical and other emergency services must not be hampered.
A proper protest that respect human rights and IHL must be adhered to.
The convention also adopted that Manipur and Northeast India have all been connected to New Delhi and not with each other and hence efforts be made � socially, culturally, politically, economically for people of Manipur and NE region to build bridges of understanding.
The Convention also called for lifting of all forms of military laws etc such as AFSPA in the region.
Some eminent speakers who were a part of this important convention included Rose Mangshi Haokip, president, Kuki Women's Union; Sitara Begum, Muslim Woman leader; Binalakshmi Nepram, founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network & Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace; David Boyes, founder-convenor, Northeast India Forum Against Racism; Dr Alana Golmei, general secretary, Northeast Support Centre & Helpline, Manipur; Lakpachui Siro, co-founder of FUNICH (Forum for Understanding the Naga-India Conflict and Human Rights); Babloo Loitongbam, Director, Human Rights Alert; Lucy Jajo, conflict widow; Harsh Mander, Director of the Centre for Equity Studies; Dr Anuradha Chenoy, Dean, Jawaharlal Nehru University.
The organisers thank each and every one who participated in the convention, shared free and frank opinions and ensure that they work for solutions and not blame game.
The mothers of Manipur will be ensuring their support to ensure that this spirit of peace and reconciliation is carried on and the meeting resolved to have another such follow up convention in Manipur in June 2016 .