Guwahati, Sept 26: The United Naga Council (UNC) Peace Committee, while saying that it has been initiating dialogue between the Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo community, appealed to the two warring communities to come to the dialogue table.
In a statement issued to Newmai News Network today, the UNC Peace Committee said that the solution to the Meitei and Kuki-Zo problem is not in the court of New Delhi.
“Solution is in the courts of the Kuki-Zo community and the Meiteis, and not in the court of New Delhi,” the Naga body peace committee pointed out. The peace committee further said that holding dialogue between the two communities is the only way towards a solution to the problem.
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The UNC Peace Committee then said the Meitei leaders and the Kuki-Zo leaders need not worry about their security or safety if they are willing to hold dialogue. “We will ensure their safety or security in the event of holding dialogue,” the UNC Peace Committee assured. The Naga committee also said that halting violence and firing is a vital prerequisite for dialogue.
As the Meitei and Kuki-Zo violence prevails nearly for five months now in Manipur, and fear and anxiety continue to grip among the various communities, the UNC Peace Committee had, a few days ago, urged the state government as well as the central government to “tirelessly work without fear and favour to ensure the rule of law”. The UNC Peace Committee had also urged both the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities to refrain from further engaging in “hostile acts and to hold an immediate ceasefire from intermittent firing”.
The UNC Peace Committee had also stated earlier that “it has been at a loss and short of words” to make any comment on the ongoing conflict. It, however, “strongly believes” that to any conflict, there should be a solution anywhere and everywhere.
The Committee then said the “violent conflict between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo communities we witness today is unprecedented”. It is a matter of deep anguish and grave concern for the establishment and the people of the state in general, the UNC Peace Committee also said. Several lives and properties worth thousands of crores of rupees have been lost and damaged on both sides.
“More than four months have passed now, but the situation remains tense. Notwithstanding the causes behind and the bitterness of the results, we surely need a pause and find time to re-think because life must go on and lives must be saved at any cost from further loss and casualties,” the UNC Peace Committee added.
In this given situation, therefore, the UNC Peace Committee urged both the communities to refrain from further engaging in hostile acts and to hold an “immediate ceasefire from intermittent firing”.
The UNC Peace Committee then expressed its unequivocal stand for peace. The Committee also said it is ready to render its services towards that goal. “Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘There is no way to peace, peace is the only way’” the UNC quoted, while adding, “And truly, we can only wish and pray that the ‘sun of peace will rise once again with healing in its rays’ upon both the communities”.
