Peace convention held at Delhi

IMPHAL, Jun 13: Some concerned citizens of Manipur organised a dialogue
for peace and reconciliation on June 11 at Deputy Speaker’s Hall,
Constitution Club, New Delhi.

The convention reiterated that
Manipur is a land of multi-ethnic communities consisting of Meiteis,
Nagas, Kukis, Zomis, Gorkhas, Punjabis, Tamil, Marwaries etc and that
the concerned communities should ensure that all communities live with
peace, harmony and dignity.

According to a statement issued by the
organisers, the Convention also recognised the concerns of hill people
of Manipur, their reservations and fears towards the 3 Bills and resolve
to work to ensure that a solution is brought about. The convention also
strongly appealed to the organisers of the ongoing protests to ensure
that no students below the age of 18 is used in protests as it amounts
to violation of child rights convention and that medical and other
emergency services must not be hampered. A proper protest that respect
human rights and IHL must be adhered to.

The convention also adopted
that Manipur and Northeast India have all been connected to New Delhi
and not with each other and hence efforts be made – socially,
culturally, politically, economically for people of Manipur and NE
region to build bridges of understanding. The Convention also called for
lifting of all forms of military laws etc such as AFSPA in the region.

Some eminent speakers who were a part of this important convention
included Rose Mangshi Haokip, president, Kuki Women’s Union; Sitara
Begum, Muslim Woman leader; Binalakshmi Nepram, founder, Manipur Women
Gun Survivors Network & Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace;
David Boyes, founder-convenor, Northeast India Forum Against Racism; Dr
Alana Golmei, general secretary, Northeast Support Centre &
Helpline, Manipur; Lakpachui Siro, co-founder of FUNICH (Forum for
Understanding the Naga-India Conflict and Human Rights); Babloo
Loitongbam, Director, Human Rights Alert; Lucy Jajo, conflict widow;
Harsh Mander, Director of the Centre for Equity Studies; Dr Anuradha
Chenoy, Dean, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

The organisers thank each
and every one who participated in the convention, shared free and frank
opinions and ensure that they work for solutions and not blame game.
The mothers of Manipur will be ensuring their support to ensure that
this spirit of peace and reconciliation is carried on and the meeting
resolved to have another such follow up convention in Manipur in June
2016.