IT News
Imphal, May 16:
Indigenous People’s Forum, Manipur (IPFM), has issued a plea to the Chief Minister of Manipur, urging him to convene an emergency gathering of stakeholders and concerned civil society organizations (CSOs) to seek a resolution to the crisis.
According to IPFM, the conflict, which erupted on May 3, 2023, following the Tribal Solidarity March organized by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM), has resulted in widespread violence and destruction across the state. Thousands of homes in the fringe areas of the Imphal valley have been vandalized and burned, leaving more than 60,000 people homeless and seeking refuge in government-run relief camps.
According to reports, the violence has led to frequent exchanges of gunfire and skirmishes, resulting in the loss of over two hundred lives. The situation has severely disrupted agricultural activities, economic sectors, and the academic calendar, causing significant financial losses and inconveniences to the citizens of Manipur, particularly daily wage earners, IPFM stated.
In their plea to the Chief Minister, the IPFM emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to address the escalating crisis before it spirals further out of control. They have called for an immediate formal gathering of all stakeholders to seek an amicable solution to the ongoing communal conflict.
The Chief Minister’s office has acknowledged receipt of the IPFM’s representation and assured that necessary steps will be taken to address the situation. However, no official statement has been released regarding the scheduling of the proposed emergency meeting at the time of reporting.
