World Meetei Council Urges Action in Manipur Ethnic Conflict

Imphal, Jun 26 (PTI) - A civil society organization based in Manipur, the World Meetei Council, has called upon Kuki and Meitei legislators to transcend political divides and take decisive action towards resolving the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state.

Recognizing that "wrongs have occurred on both sides," the council questioned how much longer the community must endure such suffering. The ongoing strife between the Meitei and Kuki communities has continued for over two years and two months, leading to countless disruptions to lives, shattered families, and divided communities. Despite numerous initiatives, the Centre has been unable to achieve a satisfactory resolution.

The World Meetei Council urged both Kuki and Meitei legislators to "rise above politics and take ownership of the crisis," emphasizing that the people are bearing the brunt of the situation.

"The most critical role now belongs to our MLAs. You have the people’s mandate. You must act. The Meitei and Kuki MLAs need to engage with one another and not wait for external intervention. You must lead - because if our elected representatives do not act, then who will?” the Meitei organization asserted.

Since May 2023, ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups has resulted in more than 260 deaths and thousands left homeless. The Centre imposed President's rule on Manipur on February 13 following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The state assembly, although having a tenure till 2027, has been placed under suspended animation.

The central executive committee of the organization convened on Wednesday to extensively discuss Manipur's current situation. The WMC expressed strong belief that a single, meaningful step in the right direction could pave the way toward normalcy.

The council urged authorities to open Imphal International Airport to all citizens, stressing that the Meitei community "must assume moral and social responsibility for ensuring the safety of all arrivals, regardless of community." They also emphasized the need for "national highways to be accessible to all" and for each community, particularly the Meiteis and Kukis, to guarantee safe, violence-free, and intimidation-free passage.

The council noted the positive and symbolic gesture by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity in welcoming both Meitei and Kuki victims of the Ahmedabad air crash at Imphal Airport. "We are destined to live together. Let time and collective efforts guide us towards peace," it concluded.

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