Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam has called for dialogue and mutual understanding among communities to resolve differences in the state, asserting that lasting peace would depend on rebuilding trust rather than relying solely on security measures.
Speaking to reporters, Govindas said communities must engage in negotiations and gradually bridge the trust deficit to move towards a peaceful resolution.
“Peace is brought only through negotiations and not through the barrel of the gun. We must come to an understanding and engage in talks. We must gradually try to erase the trust deficit among us. Security alone cannot do it,” he said.
Describing the people of Manipur as sharing common bonds, the Home Minister urged communities to sit together and settle their differences through dialogue.
“All the residents of Manipur are brothers and sisters. We must come to the table and resolve our differences,” he said.
Govindas maintained that the state government had made efforts to bring stakeholders together for discussions, adding that talks had already been held as part of efforts to address the prevailing differences.
He also pointed to operational challenges faced by security forces, stating that improved communication facilities often enabled armed miscreants to flee villages before security personnel could reach the locations.