'Reconciliation key to normalization'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 29 2025: An academic discourse on normalization in Manipur organised by the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) has underscored the necessity of reconciliation among the two communities in conflict.

The academic discourse held at Hotel Imphal was presided over by FOCS acting president BM Yaima Shah and moderated by Department of Anthropology, MU Prof (retired) W Nabakumar.

Speaking at the academic discourse, Prof (retired) Naorem Joykumar stressed the need for dialogue between the communities in conflict.

He said that the two communities need to step back from their respective positions by 50 per cent and reconcile with each in order to restore normalcy in the State.

Speaking on the topic "Idea of Manipur", Prof Joykumar pointed out that Meiteis have been shouldering key responsibility in protecting the integrity of Manipur.

After Manipur lost its political identity in 1949 when it was merged into the Indian Union, its social identity has now come under serious threats from different directions, he said.

He said that there are elements who have been deliberately sowing seeds of discord and driving wedges among the communities.

The present situation of Manipur is very critical and it would be wrong for any community to assert that their standpoint is absolute truth, Prof Joykumar said.

Speaking on the topic "Economic Revival of the IDPs", Prof (retired) Ch Priyoranjan said that several forces have been challenging the integrity and collective history of Manipur.

These inimical forces have been challenging the very foundation of the idea of Manipur which was built over thousands of years, he said.

Prof Priyoranjan said that the problems of IDPs must be addressed within the idea of Manipur.

He also highlighted the urgent need for Government intervention and assistance toward re-establishing sustainable livelihoods of all IDPs.

Retired IAS offier RK Nimai spoke on the topic "Resettlement of IDPs" .

He said that the exact figure of IDPs could not be ascertained till date.

The Government has no exact data on the number of IDPs who have resettled so far.

While some people have been resettled, there are certain areas where resettlement will be difficult under the current situation, RK Nimai said.

At the same time, there are many areas where resettlement is possible, if the Government provides adequate security, he said.

Complete resettlement of all the IDPs will take a long time and the amount sanctioned by the Government for resettlement of IDPs is too little, he said.

RK Nimai also highlighted the need for the Government to take necessary initiatives so that the corporate sector too contributes to the resettlement of IDPs.

Impact TV Editor-in-Chief Yumnam Rupachandra said that all the communities need to work by keeping the idea of Manipur in the centre.

Giving key-note address of the academic discourse, FOCS secretary general Hemam Jogendro Meetei said that discourse was aimed at exploring how peace and normalcy can be restored in the State.

Exploring a solution to the protracted conflict is the responsibility of each and every citizen of Manipur, he said.

Moirang College Principal Dr Raheijuddin Sheikh asserted that the responsibility of restoring peace in Manipur should be shared by each and every community.

Zeliangrong Union, Imphal Zone chairman Dr LS Phaomei highlighted the necessity for dialogue and interaction among all the communities in order to bring peace and normalcy in Manipur.

Kom Union Manipur president Serto Ahao Kom said that both the Government and CSOs must share the responsibility of restoring peace and normalcy in the State.

He also highlighted the need for dialogue and reconciliation among the two communities in conflict.

Prof W Nabakumar said that a social hardware must be built which can bring together all the communities of Manipur.

Manipur needs leaders who understand the State's ground reality, he asserted.

Leaders who sit in Delhi and have little idea of the issues of Manipur will not be able to bring peace in Manipur, he said.

Pointing out that IDPs are the worst affected section of the protracted conflict, Prof Nabakumar underscored the need for a 'truth commission' in order to address the plight of IDPs .

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