WHAT MANIPUR NEEDS today is reconciliation, harmony, and peace. Manipur has been burning for the last three-and-half years, with conflict and division between people from different tribes. The Central Government is making efforts to bring peace through different methods and strategies. However, the situation shows that much more needs to be done. There is a proverb that says, “United we stand, divided we fall.” This is especially meaningful for Manipur today. If we remain divided, it will be difficult to build a peaceful and prosperous future. But if we come together with one heart and one goal, there is hope for reconciliation and peace.
The most important strategy for bringing peace to Manipur is for the people of Manipur, along with politicians, government officers, civil society leaders, and religious leaders, to come together with one mind and one goal: reconciliation, solution and peace.
1. Political Leaders
First, our political leaders must work sincerely for peace. They have many advantages and opportunities compared with others. They must not think only about winning elections. Instead, they must sincerely work to bring reconciliation, harmony, and peace among the different tribes. Although they may be politicians representing a particular community or political party, at this critical time they must think beyond their tribe and party. Their first priority should be the welfare of the people of the whole of Manipur. They must be willing to take risks and begin talking with leaders from other tribes, not merely as representatives of their communities or constituency, but as political leaders who have a responsibility toward the entire state. Dialogue should not be seen as weakness; it should be seen as a courageous step toward peace.
2. Civil Society Leaders
Second, civil society leaders must have a big heart. They may have been elected to lead organisations representing particular tribes, communities or interests, but in the present situation, they must think about peace for the whole of Manipur. We are all interlinked.
As people live in different geographical areas, it may be easier for individual tribes to remain together within their communities. But lasting peace cannot be achieved if we think only about our own tribe or area.
Civil society leaders have great influence because they are trusted and listened to by their people. At present, tribal leaders and civil society organisations have an especially important role to play. They must use that influence to encourage understanding, dialogue, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence rather than further division.
3. Religious Leaders
Third, religious leaders have a great role to play. Human beings have deep respect for and fear of God, according to their faith, and priests and pastors are regarded as servants of God. Therefore, religious leaders must have the courage to come out of their comfort zones and work for peace and harmony among all the people of Manipur. They must not confine themselves only to their communities. They must reach out to people from other tribes and religions as well.
I have a great hope that pastors, priests and other religious leaders will come together and work for the wellbeing of all the people of Manipur, regardless of tribe or religion. Their voices can help heal wounds, restore trust and remind people of the value of every human life.
4. Government Servants
Fourth, the servants of the Government of Manipur and the Government of India must sincerely work for the people of Manipur without bias. A government employee may belong to any tribe or religion, but he or she must remember the oath taken upon entering government service: to serve the people and uphold the Constitution and the responsibilities of public office without discrimination.
Government employees are the backbone of the administration and represent the government at the grassroots level. At this critical time, they must examine their own consciences and ask whether their actions are contributing to unity and peace.
It is time for every government servant to put aside personal, tribal or political considerations and sincerely work for justice, unity and peace among all the people of Manipur.
5. The People of Manipur
Fifth, the people of Manipur themselves have a great role to play. There is a saying, and we have even sung it in a song, “Hingminnasi,” meaning “We will live together.” We have lived together since the time of our forefathers. We have helped, cared for and depended on one another since time immemorial. Therefore, let us pray, meditate and reflect on our past. Let us remember how people once lived together in harmony and love and how that contributed to peace in the Land of Gold, Sana Leibak, Manipur.
The future is, to a great extent, in the hands of the people themselves. The people of Manipur must wake up and honestly reflect on the past three and a half years and on what is happening around them.
Are we happy with what is happening? I do not think so. Then let us wake up and work together for reconciliation, harmony and peace. Let us not fall into the traps created by those who benefit from division, whether they are politicians, civil society leaders, corrupt officials, or others who exploit the situation for personal gain. Young people, especially, must not be drawn into violence or into seeking easy money at the cost of their own future.
Let Us Choose Peace for the Next Generation
It is high time to look beyond the pain of the past and work together for the future. We cannot change everything that has happened, but we can choose what we do from this moment forward. We must take courageous steps toward reconciliation, especially for the sake of future generations. “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.”
Manipur’s greatest strength has always been its people. If the people of different tribes and religions can rediscover their shared humanity, rebuild trust and work together, there is hope for a peaceful future.
If we refuse to move forward and take steps toward peace, what will we leave for our children and grandchildren? We must not leave them a legacy of division, hatred, and permanent enmity. Let us instead leave them a legacy of reconciliation, harmony, unity and peace.
Let us choose dialogue over hatred, understanding over suspicion, forgiveness over revenge, and peace over conflict. Manipur belongs to its people. Let us come together, live together and work together for a peaceful Manipur.
(The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ukhrul Times. Ukhrul Times values and encourages diverse perspectives. The author is Pastor, The Journey Church, New Delhi. The author can be reached at letlal.haokip@gmail.com)
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