IMPHAL, February 9: Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) and All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) have decided to work in solidarity for common cause and shared on various issues pertaining to different communities living in the present state of Manipur.
In a joint press statement, the two organizations affirmed that coming together is only the beginning of the journey to address the historically rooted injustices and search for peaceful co-existence firmly founded on a vision for just peace.
Our solidarity alone cannot withstand the divisive policy of the State if it is not driven by the conviction and thirst for truth and justice and guided by principles of mutual respect and common sympathy. It is also therefore important to establish mutually acceptable terms for political and social cooperation, it said.
The organizations resolved to gain deeper understanding on the issues affecting different communities living in the state in their respective experiences, perspectives and challenges through dialogue and conversations with all stakeholders.
They also agreed to reflect on the process of how people from different backgrounds and settings who seek understanding, cooperation and solidarity with each other can build up relationships and goodwill to effectively work on issues of common concerns.
The statement said to explore avenues to work for peace, justice and development of all sections of society is another resolution adopted unanimously by the organizations.
The binding foundation of this understanding is the respect for the legitimate political aspiration of every community and the sincere desire to jointly address issues of common concerns so that the youth and students in particular and society at large will have healthy space for peaceful and mutually enriching coexistence, it asserted.
To achieve and nurture these goals, all concern will refrain from expressing, either in public speeches or statements, views which are detrimental or divergent to the spirit of understanding that the two organizations bring together on this day, it stated.
DESAM and ANSAM also agreed to focus on giving effort to ensure quality education in the State whereby both the student bodies shall work on identifying the issues and shortages within the given provision and guidelines under the New Education Policy of India.
The organizations further resolved to begin their journey with a campaign for fair conduct of the forthcoming HSSLC and HSLC Examination 2016 to be commenced from February 22 and March 1 respectively.
DESAM and ANSAM said the statement was issued after having three rounds of meetings on January 17, 19 and February 9.