Resolving conflict situation
People's role discussed minutely
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 08: A day-long public discussion session on the role of people in resolving the conflict situation in Manipur was held at Lamshang Community Hall today.

The event was jointly organised by All Manipur Tammi-Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup and United People's Front (UPF), Manipur.

Former president of All Manipur Bar Association Khaidem Mani and AMSU advisor M Lakhikanta were among those who spoke as resource persons at the occasion.

In his observation, Khaidem Mani said conflict situation in Manipur today is a direct fallout of the armed insurgency movement against India for self determination and the attempt of the Government of India to suppress the movement.

The confrontation between the two parties has been going on for long without achieving their respective goals.

The meeting in progress

It is the people who are bearing the brunt of the conflict.

So it is time for the people to decide what is the best possible way for resolving this conflict, he said.

Tracing the genesis of the armed conflict, Mani cited alleged annexation of erstwhile independent kingdom of Manipur by India in 1949.Manipur regained its lost sovereignty after British left in 1947, he added.

On the controversial merger agreement, Mani said on September 21 of 1949, the then Governor of Assam Prakash invited the then King of Manipur Budhachandra to Shillong but the King was kept as ex-communicado under house arrest and he was forced to sign the merger agreement under duress.

He went on to say that even after the alleged merger, Manipur was given the lowly status of a Part 'C' State and its people treated like 3rd class citizens.

It was only after long years of protest and agitation that, Manipur was recognised as a Union Territory and finally granted Statehood.

Mani observed that the ongoing conflict between India and Manipur can be resolved only through unconditional political dialogue and not peace talk.

Whether plebiscite should be held or not can be discussed and finalised during the dialogue, he added.

Speaking on the impact of the ongoing conflict, AMSU advisor M Lakhikanta said people of Manipur have been subjected to various atrocities in the hands of the security forces like killing of innocent persons, harassment, rape of women and violation of human rights.

On the other hand, continued influx of outsiders has posed a serious threat on the demography and socio-economic condition of the indigenous population besides sowing seeds of discord among the various ethnic groups, Lakhikanta said.

Today's discussion session was proceeded with presidents of various social organisations like S Momon Leima of Tammi-Chingmii Apunba Nupi Lup, Th Mangi of UPF, Sukham Ngouba Meetei of Nongchup Imphal Loumee Sinmee Chaokhat Thourang Lup, Thongam Rashi of Nongchup Imphal Meira Paibi Apunba Lup, Mutum Manbi Lima of Nupi Khunai Apunba Lup, Lamshang and Achom Jilangambi of Kangchupmapal Meira Paibi Apunba Lup as presidium members.

A similar discussion sessions were also organised at Thoubal District Table Tennis Indoor Stadium under the aegis of AMSU as well as at Khongnangpokpi village in Senapati District under the joint aegis of NIPCO and the village authority today.