IPFM appeals for joint meet
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 04 2023:
The Indigenous People's Forum, Manipur (IPFM) has written to Chief Minister N Biren Singh to convene an emer-gency gathering of all stake- holders and civil society organisations concerned to hammer out an amicable solution to the four month old ethnic conflict.
In the letter, IPFM president Ashang Kasar said the situation has been aggravating and worsening day by day and unless the Government does something, it may go out of hand.
IPFM said it has been more than four months since the violence broke out at Churachandpur and adjoining Bishnupur district areas on May 3 during ATSUM's "Solidarity March" .
The violence spread like wildfire to other parts of the State destroying and burning thousands of dwelling houses in the fringe areas of Imphal valley.
"The sons and daughters of Ima Manipur are bleeding, crying and wailing in the wilderness for help, protection and succour.
More than 60,000 people have been rendered homeless and now they are internally displaced seeking refuge in run relief camps set up in different parts of the State," it said.
Every now and then, exchange of fire, gun battles and skirmishes are taking place in the peripheral area of the valley resulting in the deaths of many.
Even as the situation is aggravating and worsening day by day, it seems that the peace loving citizens of Manipur have been abandoned, forgotten and forsaken by the State and the Union Governments, it said.
Agricultural activities and other economic sectors have been severely hampered resulting in the loss of thousands of crores of rupee to the State exchequer.
The conflict has disrupted the academic calendar and created a lot of inconveniences to the students community.
The crisis has also taken a heavy toll on the daily wage earners, said IPFM.
The deteriorating situation may go out of hand unless the Government does something, said IPFM, urging the Chief Minister to convene an emergency meeting of all stakeholders to seek an early settlement and bring peace.