28/10/2024
Sustained dialogue process at multiple levels is the only way forward, found the fact-finding team consisting of Irfan Engineer, Honorary Director and Neha Dabhade, Executive Director of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai. The report prepared by the team was based on their interaction with all the stakeholders including Meitei, Kuki and Naga civil society organisations, journalists, academicians, women activists youth and elected representatives. The team also visited relief camps in Imphal, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal and Moreh and talked to the victims.
According to the fact-finding team, the conflict has sustained so long due to competing claims over land, natural resources, cultural ethos, employment opportunities and political power. Perceptions not based on facts, but unsubstantiated divisive narratives on both the sides have been fueling the ongoing violence. This has caused unprecedented polarization and extreme heightened animosity. Against this backdrop, the team recommends the following measures to establish peace.
- The state and the central government will have to do much more to promote reconciliation and normalize the situation.
- The first sept towards peace must be to disarm all groups and demobilise all arms. Non-violence has to be accepted as creed by all parties.
- Sustained dialogue, accommodation towards each other’s claims and respecting each other’s cultural sensibilities is the only way ahead.
- The team strongly recommends that adequate relief should be provided by the state to relief camps in both, valley and hills. The state must take steps towards rehabilitation of internally displace persons and survivors on war footing.
- Additionally, speedy justice should be delivered to victims of violence.
- Finally, the team feels that all parties should realise that Manipur is shared homeland of all communities and inhabitants. Any solution should respect each other’s cultural sensibilities and way of life.
Amidst this violence, the team was touched by humanitarian acts of both, Meiteis and Kukis, who saved each other’s lives in the most adverse times and these acts serve as a reminder of undying hope.
Irfan Engineer,
Hon. Director
Centre for Study of Society and Secularism
