Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jun 06:
A day-long discussion session on the role of people in resolving Manipur-India politicalmilitary conflict held at the hall of Manipur Dramatic Union here today has unanimously endorsed holding of plebiscite under UN supervision towards resolving the existing conflict.
The discussion session attended by a large number of people further resolved to mobilise the people, submit relevant representations to the UN and the Government of India and seek the help of the international community in this regard.
Titular King of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba, president of Apunba Manipur Kanba Lup (AMKIL) Phanjoubam Sakhi and president of All Manipur Women's Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi-Samaj) Keisham Taruni were respectively chief guest, president and guest of honour of the session.
Apart from former member of Manipur Human Rights Commission Khagenbam Chonjhon, social worker RK Anand, president of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) Bijoy Kakchingtabam, and human rights activist and former MP Kim Gangte who attended as resource persons, representatives of many civil organisations also made their observations during the discussion.
In his address, Leishemba Sanajaoba said people should stand up as one if the Government or any underground organisation start working against the interest of the people.
The titular King pointed out that participation of the people in finding out a solution toward resolving the present conflict between Manipur and India does not imply either standing against the Government or supporting the underground movement.
It is the common people who are suffering the brunt of the present conflict.
So it is the duty of the people to find out a solution to end this, he observed.
The proposal raised by UNLF for holding plebiscite under UN supervision towards resolving the conflict just happens to be liked by the peace loving people.
But this does not mean that they are supporting the underground organisation, Sanajaoba noted.
In a democratic country, the Government should not try to muffle the voice of the people, he said.
Exhorting the people to teach a lesson to all the political parties in the forthcoming general election, the titular king categorically stated that people should not vote for those political parties which do not include the issue of plebiscite in their election manifestos.
Resource persons and representatives of civil organisations who spoke at the occasion observed that holding plebiscite would be meaningless as along as all the organisations including the underground organisations do not join hands together.
They also pointed out that in a democratic country, the Government should not impose restriction on the people in airing their grievances and the underground organisations should respect the norms of the International Law.
Uninterrupted violent incident between the security personnel and the armed underground activities has caused untold miseries to the people of Manipur.
The present conflict between the two parties claiming to work for the welfare of the people could not be resolved without the participation of the people.
So efforts should be made for holding the plebiscite in accordance to the wishes of the people, the speakers maintained.