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KOHIMA— The North East Students' Organisation (NESO) has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention for immediate cessation of all forms of violence, arson and disharmony in the state of Manipur.
“We appeal that your positive intervention will aid in bridging the gap between the conflicting communities and compensate for the damage inflicted upon the age-old ties and covenants in order to bring about a life of dignity for all people,” NESO stated in a memorandum to the Prime Minister.
The memorandum was submitted through the Manipur governor on August 1 during the recent visit of a NESO delegation to the strife-torn state.
The NESO made special mention of the plight of students who are worst affected by the violence and urged the prime minister to “find out ways and means to help and ameliorate their situation so that it will not have any adverse impact on their career.”
The organisation pointed out that the seven sister states of the North Eastern frontier, although diverse and unique on multiple spectrums and as distinct entities, have shared a long history of goodwill and harmonious co-existence where respect, peace and democracy serve as the cornerstone of relationship amongst themselves and with those people living in close proximity.
Expressing deep pain over the prevailing situation in Manipur which has collapsed into a “state of total anarchy,” NESO stated that it has, on multiple occasions, voiced grave concern over the deteriorating situation and the gross human rights violations, which are being perpetrated in the absence of 'Rule of Law' ever since violence erupted in the state in the first place.
It also stated that despite the presence of over 40,000 central forces currently stationed in Manipur and the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the situation is still volatile and normalcy is yet to return in Manipur.
“That Sir, as you are well aware that the present conflict has already cost hundreds of lives while irreparable damages have also been caused upon the age-old ties and relationships among multiple communities beyond borders and state boundaries and the people are pained that as a guardian of the country you have remained silent on this very sensitive and unfortunate event,” the memorandum stated.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Further, NESO stated that the intricate balance of relationship and co-existence among the diverse communities in the region is being threatened due to the nature of violence.
The memorandum went on to state that if the issue is not dealt with utmost sincerity and without further delay, “the subsequent fallout will have a long term negative impact which could disrupt the peace and stability in the entire North East region.”
The organisation appealed for immediate restoration of peace and normalcy in the state of Manipur and for humanity to prevail across all social and geo-political spectrums in the North East region.
The NESO is a conglomeration of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF).
Appeals for safety of students
A delegation of the North East Students' Organisation (NESO), which recently visited Manipur state, has appealed to the chief minister of Manipur and communities involved in the conflict to ensure safety of students and resumption of their studies.
During the delegation’s three-day 'goodwill' visit--from Aug 1 to 3--to key area including Imphal and Churachandpur, the NESO team visited several relief camps and also interacted with 'influential' organisations.
Led by NESO Chairman Samuel Jyrwa, the delegation also met Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey and Chief Minister N Biren Singh and submitted memorandums to both of them.
The NESO delegation also interacted with various organisations including the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), Kuki Students' Organisation, Kuki Inpi and intellectuals. It was informed that the Meira Paibis "did not turn up" for the meeting when invited.
Interacting with media persons after their return from Manipur on Friday in Kohima, NESO Secretary General Mutsikhoyo Yhobu said that those staying in the relief camps on both sides, expressed their desire to go back to their ancestral land but given the situation, they could not.
He said the organisation has appealed for peace in each community, to shun violence and sit across the table to discuss their differences. As long as violence continues, it is not possible to resolve the demands, he added.
Yhobu also informed that the NESO plans to continue with the 'goodwill mission' in the days to come. During the visit, the team also distributed relief materials to the camps.
Coordinator of NESO, N Ejunthung Ngullie, said the organisation has appealed to both parties involved in the conflict to shun violence as violence is a threat, especially to the student community.
Ngullie also appealed to the students and parents to reach out to the NSF and NESO for any related grievances.
Naga Students' Federation (NSF) president Kegwayhun Tep, who was also a part of the delegation, said they interacted with both parties and appealed to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.
Tep said Imphal city, being an educational hub, has a good number of students from Nagaland enrolled in different colleges and universities. The students are reaching out to NSF and asking whether it is safe to pursue their studies, the NSF president said.
But, NSF as a student body cannot give assurance and there has been no assurance from the Manipur government and communities involved with regard to the student’s safety, he added.
During the visit, the team appealed also to the state government to lift the internet ban so that students can learn their lessons via the internet.
It may be mentioned that hundreds of students from Nagaland studying in Manipur were evacuated and brought back a few days after the violence broke out in Manipur.