Civil society organisations appeal Manipur govt, Centre to end unrest

IMPHAL, Dec. 21: Representatives of a number of civil society organisations belonging to different communities on Wednesday urged the Manipur and Central Government to take necessary steps by initiating dialogue without delay to end the unrest in Manipur.
The representatives of the civil societies during a four-and-a-half hour long crowded public meeting at the historic women’s market in the heart of Imphal also
appealed for an end to the ongoing indefinite economic blockade and subsequent counter blockade and to find an amicable solution to the grievances of the public in this festive season.
The meeting which concluded at around 3.30 pm was held under the initiative of a group of civil society organisation leaders who wished to take up a ‘Goodwill Mission for Peaceful Co-existence’ (GMFPC) in the state, in the wake of the unwanted incidents during the course of the ongoing indefinite economic blockade and subsequent counter blockade.The United Naga Council called the indefinite economic blockade on National Highway 2 and 37 in Manipur since November 1 midnight in protest against the state government’s move to make Sadar Hills and Jiribam full-fledged districts while those opposing the blockade called the counter blockade along all important inter-district roads. Both forms of blockades have affected normal life in the state causing scarcity of essential items in the markets.
Some of the speakers also appealed to release the arrested UNC leaders and spread the initiative of goodwill mission in every nook and corner of the state. Besides top functionaries of various bodies belonging to different hill and valley districts numbering around 30, human rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila also spoke in the meeting.
Informing the public that GMFPC is not a committee or a body but its mission is to bring peace and understanding among the different communities living in the state since time immemorial, its convenor N Lancha said they will urge the government to hold an all-community leaders meeting to find solution as discussed in the meeting.
One of the speakers suggested that Imas (mothers) of the women market in Imphal should be requested to join the Goodwill Mission.
Meanwhile, curfew continued in Imphal East district though it was relaxed from
for a few hours in some pockets. There was no report of any untoward incident during the relaxation of curfew. Night curfew (6.30 pm to 4 am) is still on in Imphal West district.