Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, Aug 28: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday called for sustained and collective efforts by all sections of society to overcome the prevailing trust deficit among different communities and restore lasting peace in the violence-hit state.
Recalling the situation in Manipur before the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, Khemchand Singh said he had regularly travelled to the hill areas and witnessed an atmosphere of peace, harmony and cooperation among different communities.
The Chief Minister was speaking at a gathering organised by the Assam Rifles on “Guest Lecture on Manipur Situation: Prevailing Trust Deficit and the Path Towards Trust Building” at the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) Auditorium in Palace Compound, Imphal.
He said restoring mutual trust and the spirit of coexistence would require the collective commitment and cooperation of people from all communities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
Khemchand Singh stressed the need to strengthen dialogue and understanding among communities to heal the wounds caused by the prolonged ethnic conflict and ensure durable peace and normalcy.
However, he said the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, had fundamentally changed the situation in the state.
On the prevailing trust deficit, the Chief Minister said it could not be overcome merely through discussions or rhetoric and would require sustained interaction, dialogue and understanding among communities.
He said restoration of peace was the foremost priority of the new government and asserted that there would be no compromise on the objective, while justice would be delivered to victims.
The Chief Minister said that during his visits to relief camps and hill districts, he interacted with people from different communities and found that their common desire was to live peacefully and return to their respective homes.
Referring to his visits to Jiribam district, he said people belonging to the Meitei, Kuki, Hmar and Paite communities had come together and shared a meal, demonstrating that ordinary people continued to aspire for peace and harmonious coexistence.
Expressing concern over incidents of violence that continue to undermine peace efforts, Khemchand Singh said individuals and groups seeking to spread hatred and conflict must be identified.
At the same time, he stressed that the situation should not be viewed as a conflict between different communities.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the role played by the state Police, Assam Rifles and other security forces in protecting lives during the crisis. He said members of different communities had also helped one another and saved lives during the difficult period.
Khemchand Singh said the Assam Rifles and other security forces helped evacuate 47,000 people to safer locations during the ethnic conflict.
He appealed to all communities, civil society organisations, political leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate and work collectively to bridge the prevailing trust deficit and restore peace in Manipur.
Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, Director General of Assam Rifles, said the force had always been a friend of the people of the Northeast and that contributing towards restoring peace and stability in Manipur remained its utmost duty.
He emphasised that the trust deficit could not be addressed by security forces alone and required collective and sustained efforts from all communities and stakeholders.
The programme was attended by Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Lt Gen (retd) K Himalay Singh, guest speaker Sudeep Chakravarti, retired IAS officer R K Nimai, retired IPS officer Thangjam Brojen Singh, senior journalist Pradip Phanjoubam, besides other senior officials and dignitaries.