UKHRUL: Renowned community leader and activist Ngachonmi Chamroy officially released his latest book, “The Other Side of Manipur: The Untold Story of the Hill Peoples in Manipur,” on Friday, an intimate gathering of longtime peers and community advocates and renowned leader at Wolorim Manor.
The book offers a critical analysis of the state’s institutional frameworks and the historical grievances of its hill communities.
Chamroy, a veteran activist with over three decades of experience in indigenous rights, described the book as a necessary bridge between generations. Reflecting on the uncountable difficulties faced by the hill peoples, Chamroy stated that the book was born out of a duty to ensure that younger generations do not encounter the same systemic struggles as if they were new.
“With the knowledge and experience I have faced, I had to share it… I had to write this book for the younger generations and the people living now,” Chamroy remarked during the launch.
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The narrative moves beyond a simple memoir, providing a probing analysis of the structural imbalances that Chamroy argues paved the way for the violent eruption in Manipur in 2023.
Key themes of the book include an urgent call to restructure the government by shifting power to local institutions and grassroots democracy, tracing decades of uneven development and administrative neglect, proposing inclusive political dialogue and confidence-building measures to restore trust between communities.
The event featured insights from fellow activists and cultural icons. Seth Shatsang, a prominent activist, summarized the book’s core message as an exploration of “the presence of government and the absence of governance.” The ceremony was further enriched by a performance from Padmashri Guru Reuben Mashangva, a close peer of the author, who performed a tribute song titled ‘Song of the Hornbill’ in honor of Chamroy’s long-standing dedication to the region.
In a move aimed at fostering high-level policy dialogue, signed copies of the book were reserved for key state and national leaders, including Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur; Y Khemchand Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur; and Members of Parliament Alfred S. Arthur and A. Bimol Akoijam.
The launch at Wolorim Manor marks the beginning of a series of book review events planned across strategic locations to encourage wider readership and spark a state-wide conversation on sustainable peace and justice.
