The World Meetei Council (WMC) has issued a fervent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate and decisive action to resolve the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur, which has persisted for over 15 months. The crisis has resulted in the tragic loss of over 225 lives and has left thousands of people homeless, destitute, and struggling to survive. The WMC emphasized that the violence and unrest in Manipur, a northeastern state of India, is a matter of national concern and urged the central government to prioritize restoring peace in the region.
H. Bankim Singha, the President of the WMC’s Tripura unit, expressed deep concern over the situation during a recent event in Tripura. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Singha described the ethnic riots in Manipur as a shameful chapter in the state’s history, highlighting the distressing reality of one community setting fire to another community’s properties. He lamented the ongoing violence, which has caused widespread suffering, including the loss of livelihoods, the destruction of homes, and the displacement of thousands of people, who are now living as refugees in their own land.
Singha underscored the severe impact of the crisis on the future of children in Manipur, noting that their education has been severely disrupted, leading to an uncertain future. The ongoing violence has created a sense of hopelessness among the people, with some individuals reportedly attempting suicide due to the unbearable conditions. Singha stressed that the Prime Minister, as the leader of the nation, bears the primary responsibility for restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur, urging him to step in and address the crisis before it further affects the nation.
The WMC leader criticized the state government of Manipur, led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, for its failure to restore peace and stability in the region. Singha argued that while local authorities must work towards peace, the ultimate responsibility lies with the Prime Minister, who possesses the power to ensure the stability of the state. He questioned why the situation has not yet been brought under control, despite the ongoing conflict bringing a bad name not only to Manipur but also to the entire community and the country.
The event in Tripura, organized by the Tripura state unit of the WMC, was part of a program aimed at felicitating students from the Meetei community who had excelled in the recent secondary and higher secondary board examinations held in the state. The program sought to inspire the youth of the community to pursue a better future and contribute to the development of the nation, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
Speakers at the event emphasized the urgent need for the restoration of peace and normalcy in Manipur, expressing concern for the thousands of people affected by the violence. The crisis in Manipur has not only impacted those living in the state but has also affected the wider Manipuri diaspora across northeastern India and beyond. Over 30,000 Manipuri people live in Tripura, around four lakh reside in Assam, and many others live in other northeastern states and neighboring Bangladesh. The ongoing violence in Manipur continues to cast a shadow over these communities, further underscoring the need for immediate action to resolve the crisis and bring about lasting peace.
