The World Meetei Council has reiterated its call for understanding, dialogue and compassion among the people of Manipur, while expressing deep concern over what it described as growing hostile voices seeking to divide the state.
In a statement, the council said its repeated appeals for negotiations among communities that have coexisted for generations have been overshadowed by divisive narratives. It alleged that the prolonged silence of the Government of India has been widely perceived as tacit encouragement, emboldening armed Kuki-Zo groups and fostering unrealistic political aspirations.
The council asserted that history has shown that political and historical realities cannot be altered through deception, force or violence. It also urged introspection within the Meetei community, calling for a critical review of social values and collective behaviour to avoid repeating past mistakes that have placed the community’s identity and future at risk.
According to the statement, the present crisis is the cumulative outcome of failure to learn from history and adapt to changing times. The council noted that delayed social and political adaptation has contributed to prolonged uncertainty, creating conditions that encourage forces seeking to undermine Manipur’s integrity.
The World Meetei Council cautioned that attempts to challenge Manipur’s status as an integral part of the Indian Union should not underestimate the resilience of its people. It expressed confidence that Manipur would overcome the current crisis and restore its dignity within the Union.