New Delhi, May 12: Eight Northeast student bodies in the national capital have appealed for safety of citizens, protection of properties, evacuation and rehabilitation of affected persons, families in Manipur, and against disinformation, saying that “the ongoing unrest in the state of Manipur that has brought about a prevailing humanitarian crisis in the state is deeply concerning and calls for effective intervention by the state.”
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The eight student bodies of New Delhi comprising of the Tripura Students Forum, Naga Students’ Union, All Bodo Students Union, A’chik Association, Association of Manipur Muslim Students, Khasi Student Union, All Assamese Students’ Association, North-East Students’ Society DU, signed a joint statement as it called upon all both the conflict parties to work towards restoring peace and exercise great restraint.
Amid rampant false news narrative injected in dissemination of the conflict-hit State, the joint statement called news outlets to refrain from propagating misinformation, rather act as bridge between the affected parties on the contrary. “We are greatly offended by some sections of the media fraternity who have indulged in publishing false narratives about the situation,” the Northeast student bodies rued.
While denouncing the Central and the State governments for their failure to act promptly before the situation escalated beyond control, the student bodies observed that the conflict could have been prevented, had the state acted expediently.
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At the same time, the Northeast student bodies in Delhi expressed deep anguished over the many lives lost, those rendered homeless, and thousands of victims struggling to access essential needs.
“We appeal to the concerned governments to take immediate measures to absolutely prevent any further loss of lives and destruction of properties, evacuate all the citizens in volatile areas, ensure easy access to basic facilities for those lodged in shelters, and to ensure rehabilitation of all the affected persons/families as expeditiously as possible,” the joint statement added.