Imphal, July 03: Acknowledging with pain the deep social divides that have arisen between the different communities, particularly between the Nagas and Meiteis in Manipur, Chairman of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, Chief Justice (Retd) WA Shishak today said the being the majority community, the Meiteis should take the onus of building the bridge to reach out to all.

Speaking as the chief guest at the 4th foundation day of the UCM at MDU Hall today, Shishak recalled that after his retirement as Chief Justice, the then Law Minister L Nandakumar approached him and said that he (Shishak) should come and work in Manipur as he is also a Manipuri.

�I discussed the offer with my wife and she also agreed that since I was born and brought up in Manipur and a son of Manipur and I should work here.

It was with this conviction I took up the assignment as Chairman of the MHRC,� said Shishak.

However as things stand today, it has become clear that there is a deep sense of distrust running among the different communities, said the retired Chief Justice and suggested that being the majority community, the Meiteis should take the initiative of taking up confidence building measures.

�To quite a number of people in the hills, the UCM is seen as a radical organisation which is against the interest of the tribal people.

However it is more than clear that the June 18 Uprising organised by the UCM is not against any community,� asserted Shishak and added that this misinterpretation has come about due to lack of communication.

Therefore there is the need for more people to people contact.

UCM secretary (Organisation) Y Dilip said that the State Government should explain to ANSAM why it decided to declare June 18 as a State holiday.

June 18 function is not only for the Meiteis but is for all the communities residing in Manipur, he explained.

The Government should act soon and try to bring a solution, said Dilip and added that UCM is trying its best to calm the people.

However if any undesirable development takes place, then the State Government should be held solely responsible for it.

Comment