Thadou-Kuki organisation welcomes MHA-facilitated Manipur meet
New Delhi
The Thadou Community International (TCI) on Wednesday, Oct 16, welcomed the Ministry of Home Affairs initiatives for facilitating a pivotal peace meeting in New Delhi which was attended by as many as 20 MLAs from the Zo, Meitei and Naga communities of Manipur.
The meeting was held under the "supervision" of Union Home minister Amit Shah, the organisation said in a statement adding this initiative is part of the efforts launched to address the ethnic violence plaguing the state since May 3, 2023.
However, the Thadou community organisation said the meeting of legislators from all three communities "should have happened" earlier - but now that it has taken place, it ought to be appreciated and welcomed by all.
"The meeting is a beacon of hope for Manipur's troubled landscape," it said.
The Thadou people, also called Thadou-Kukis, are the Thadou language-speaking Kuki people reportedly inhabiting Manipur, some other parts of North East India and also Myanmar and Bangladesh.
"All the MLAs who attended the meeting deserve praise for taking the right decision in showing their wisdom and leadership by demonstrating a willingness to lead the people out of doldrums with a genuine sense of courage and truth," the statement said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Oct 15th said that a group of elected members of Manipur Assembly, representing Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei and Naga communities, met in New Delhi to discuss the current scenario in the State. The meeting unanimously resolved to appeal to the people of the State belonging to all communities to shun the path of violence.
The Thadu organisation said it's befitting that such a meeting took place and it also said - "the Leaders must have the courage to tell the truth and give genuine hope to their people instead of giving misleading or deceptive messages with false hopes".
"Whatever may be the aspirations and rightful demands of the different groups, violence is destructive and should not be the means. Government authorities, media groups, community leaders and all concerned groups and people must pay greater collaborative efforts in playing a role in truth-telling positive messaging in the community," it said.
It further maintained: "Violence in any manner must be shunned because more violence brings no gain but only more destruction and loss. This is especially true of the Thadou people as we are the most affected, yet silenced victims caught up in the senseless violence".
TCI urges people of all communities to join hands in engaging in meaningful dialogues for amicable solutions in the larger interest of all the people, especially the most affected ones. We have consistently advocated for peaceful resolution, justice, and respect for human rights.
The Delhi meeting marks a crucial step towards healing wounds and bringing lasting peace and development in the state. TCI would like to encourage more of such meetings in future not only between elected representatives but also between civil society organizations, community leaders, intellectuals, diasporas, and members of the general public.
TCI remains committed to promoting peace, justice, and human rights. We believe that collective action and inclusive dialogue are essential to resolving the complex issues underlying the conflict.
Dr. Sapam Ranjan, Govindas Konthoujam, Thokchom Radheshyam, Thounaojam Basanta Kumar, L. Rameshwor, Yumnam Khemchand, Th. Satyabrata, T. Robindro, and Kh. Raghumani represented Meiteis, while the Kuki-Zo MLAs in attendance were Letpao Haokip, Haokholet Kipgen, Ngursanglur Sanate, Paolilien Haokip, and Letzamang Haokip.
Naga MLAs—Ram Muivah, Losii Dikho, and Awangbou Newmai—also joined the talks.
BJP MP Sambit Patra who is the BJP Northeast Coordinator, AK Mishra, Home Ministry Advisor (North East) other senior officials also attended the meeting which lasted for about 2 hours.
The focus of the meeting was to bridge the ethnic divide that has fuelled the violence, which has resulted in over 230 fatalities and displaced more than 59,000 people.
The Kuki-Zo MLAs reiterated their demand for a separate administration.
ends
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