IMPHAL, Jun 25: A team comprising of many concerned citizens, women leaders, Information Centre for Hill Areas Manipur (ICHAM) and the All Manipur Working Journa-lists’ Union (AMWJU) jointly submitted a memoran-dum to Chief Minister O Ibobi today. They also met Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club after submitting the memorandum, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network founder Binalakshmi Nepram said that all the ethnic communities, mothers’ of different communities, CSOs and citizens of the State want to bring peace and resolve the vexed issue of Inner Line Permit System. Govt of Manipur should urgently invite all parties particularly JCILPS and JAC Churachandpur for talks separately and togeth-er to resolve the current impasse that has paralysed the State.
The State Govt should ensure proper burial of all the people killed in Churachandpur firing, ensure FIR is lodged and those responsible for the death be suspended. The Govt should also ensure relief and rehabilitation for bereaved families and injured victims. The Govt should urgently constitute an expert committee that is inclusive of all ethnic groups and gender to look into and advise on current Bills and ensure drafting of a new Bill that will take into consideration interests of all ethnic communities.
Govt. of Manipur should publish a white paper at the earliest regarding the existing demography of the State and address the fears of both hills and valleys so that all rumours and hearsays are laid to rest. Govt. of Manipur must include women leaders in all peace talks and peace process. The State Government should ensure introduction of a new Bill that will protect all indigenous communities in the upcoming Assembly session. “We also call upon Govt. of Manipur to develop an Education Curriculum and a Diversity Policy that is inclusive of all communities in the State so that we all are able to bridge the miscommuni-cation and trust deficit among different communities”, said Binalakshmi Nepram “We also call for repeal of the disturbed area status attached to the State of Manipur in upcoming Assembly sessions and ensure that Irom Sharmila who is on hunger strike for the last 16 years is able to enjoy normal food once again”, she continued.
Binalakshmi Nepram said that the State Govt should explore all avenues to ease tension prevailing among the ethnic communities and bring peace in the State. Children and students should be discouraged from taking part in protest agitation. Instead of using them, mature people, intellectuals, scholars and civil society leaders should be frontrunners of any public agitation. Its time to change the strategy of using children and students in any form of protest or agitation.
Concerned citizens of Manipur would go to Ukhrul, Chandel and Senapati next week to meet and share ideas with different ethnic communities to bring peace in the State, she added. Kuki Women Union president Rose Mangshi Haokip, Manipur Muslim women leader Sitara Begum, Rongmei Women Organization president Pantibonliu Gomei, and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network founder Binalakshmi Nepram called on the Chief Minister and submitted a memorandum.
