Imphal, April 05: A citizens' conference on 'Violence in Manipur' held at Manipur Press Club here today has resolved to convene a public dialogue on resolving the conflict situation and restore normalcy in the State at the earliest possible and entrusted Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) to make necessary preparation for the success of the proposed public dialogue.

Other resolutions adopted during the citizens' conference organised with the leading role of MAFYF include to identify the nature of the violence taking place in the State almost on daily basis and MAFYF to play a pivotal role in this regard.

Giving the key note address of the conference held with Arambam Lokendra as the moderator, MAFYF president Sapamcha Kangleipal contended that around 90 percent of the crime and violence taking place in the State today is sponsored by Indian Govt.The crime and violence being perpetrated by armed outfits and their cadres that have been brought under the ambit of ceasefire and suspension of operation with the Indian Govt have not only caused confusion among the people but also serious impact on the lives of the common people, Kangleipal said.

Inspite of all these, the Govt of Manipur has been keeping quite and indirectly helping the proxy forces in carrying on with their crime and violence on the people of the State.

In such a critical junction, the recent announcement made by the Ministry of Home Affairs to stop providing internet facilities in the North East India including Manipur has revealed the colonial mindset of India, Kangleipal said.

Giving his view point on the citizens' conference held from 10 am to 5 pm, MLA of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa RK Anand maintained that all the violent activities taking place in Manipur for the last many years is a kind of threat under a special campaign.

In order to identity this threat, along with a political will, the collective force of the people is required, he added.

In his address as special guest of the conference, Dr Dhanabir Laishram observed that the crime and violence has been spreading as the democratic politics has been missing in a democratic institute.

So restoration of democratic politics in the democratic institute is essential.

Another special guest, president of Senior Citizens for Society N Binoy contended that with imposition of various black laws and Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 in North Eastern region by the Government of India being the main root cause, instances of crime and violence in the region has been on the rise.

Decrying the alleged attitude of the Govt of Manipur in remaining as a mere spectator to the crimes and violence being perpetrated under the guise of imposing AFSPA, Binoy wondered over some possible hidden agenda over this.

Necessary steps for removing the black laws should be taken up collectively by the people while there is time, he exhorted.

Participating in the conference, Dr Chinglen Meisnam of Economics Dept, Manipur University pointed out that the existing financial condition and constraint in the State also helps in abating the crimes and violence taking place in the State almost on daily basis.

So improvement of the economy of the State is also of paramount important.

Advocate Khaidem Mani, B Sanamacha of Senior Citizens' for Society and L Sadananda, etc were among other resource persons who spoke and participated in the discussion during the conference.

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