Key Takeaways
- The Manipur body, Taragi Cheisu, has objected to the External Affairs Minister’s statement on the Manipur issue.
- The body has called for justice and an end to violence in the state, and has appealed to the government to take action against the perpetrators.
- The organization has also expressed concern about the frequent acts of forcibly demanding money by certain groups, and has appealed to the civil society to come together to find a solution.
Imphal: Taragi Cheisu, a body formed by eminent personalities of Manipur have voiced their opposition to the statement made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar about Manipur.
S Jaishankar appealed to the people not to defame India by raising the Manipur issue.
Khaidem Mani, Chairman of the organization said, “As responsible citizens of this region, we are also concerned by the recent statement of the External Affairs Minister Jaishankar cautioning the people to desist from airing out any grievances of the people of Manipur that may affect the image of the Government at national and international level”.
He said people understand that every citizen of India must safeguard the privilege of the country as an emerging power at the global level, but reminded the Central Government to ensure justice for thousands of innocent victims of recurrent ethnic violence in Manipur.
He said the central leaders tend to skirt the Manipur issue by simplifying that the area had earlier seen a similar crisis rather than putting in sincere efforts to resolve the crisis. He said the government declared zero tolerance against terrorism and in Jammu and Kashmir the government targets terrorists however in Manipur when Kuki terrorists attacked civilians no action was taken. There is a serious flaw in the security measures taken up by the government, he added.
He further said armed persons were involved in social issues like family disputes which is not acceptable. Mani appealed to all not to get involved in legal and other social matters.
He further said two persons were assaulted on Oct 31 by some armed persons at Lamshang, Imphal West. Such incidents of mindless violence and banditry are becoming a menace perpetrated by a growing band of hooligans taking advantage of the complete lawlessness in the state today, destroying public morale, and indeed the very foundation of social order and civilisational norms that Manipur and its plural society was once proud of, he added. When the state fails, the society must respond, befittingly, he added.
At these trying times, Manipur cannot afford to have the situation deteriorate any further. It should therefore be the responsibility and bounden duty of its civil society, who have in the past proven, time and again, to be able custodians of social integrity to come forward and univocally and unambiguously condemn such outrage and vow to prevent their recurrence ever, he said.
The administration must also acknowledge its failure to guarantee public safety and in repentance, and in the spirit of the law, compensate the losses of the victims proportionately. It must also book the culprits as per the provision of the law. What Manipur needs foremost at this moment is the return of the law in the hands of the law, and out of those of outlaws, he added.
He further said the organization is seriously concerned about the frequent acts of forcibly demanding unbearable amounts of money by certain groups under threats and intimidations from the business community and salaried sections of society, doctors and engineers, in particular. The civil society organizations must come together to collectively find a solution as part of social and moral responsibilities, he added.
P Sonamani, a member of the organization said people holding various offices should not be targeted by naming their ethnicity or community. The sanctity of the offices and persons should be respected, he added.
