Newmai News Network
Imphal: As the Meitei and Kuki-Zo violence prevails nearly for five months now in the state of Manipur, and fear and anxiety continue to grip among the various communities, the United Naga Council (UNC) Peace Committee has urged both the state government and the central government to “tirelessly work without fear and favour to ensure the rule of law”. The UNC Peace Committee also has 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”.
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In a statement issued to Newmai News Network tonight, the UNC Peace Committee said that “it has been at a loss and short of words” to make any comment on the ongoing conflict. The UNC Peace Committee, however, “strongly believes” that to any conflict, there should be a solution anywhere and everywhere.
The Peace 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. Now, 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.
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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 Peace 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”.
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