Forum gives ten-day 'ultimatum' to Modi to speak up and act on Manipur

NT Correspondent

New Delhi/Manipur: With growing certainty that the government, both in Delhi and Imphal, lacks the capability, and perhaps even the sincerity, to effectively address the crisis in Manipur, civil society organisations are assuming a greater role.

Among them is the Forum for Restoration of Peace. In direct response to the ethnic clashes in Manipur, which commenced on May 3, the Forum for Restoration of Peace was established to facilitate peace and harmony.

Ashang Kasar, the convenor of the Forum, has emphasised the urgent need for two crucial measures: the replacement of Chief Minister Biren Singh (without necessarily imposing President's Rule) and a proactive initiative by the Prime Minister to initiate dialogue between the Kuki and Meitei communities.

Kasar warned that failure to implement these steps would result in a significant deterioration of the situation, with the Union government, particularly the PM, bearing the responsibility.

Over 130 people have been killed and nearly 60,000 have been forced to flee their homes in the ethnic clashes between Kukis and Meitis since May 3 when the violence first erupted.

In an interview with a news website, Kasar, who is also the president of the Indigenous People’s Forum of Manipur, criticised the strategy so far adopted by the central government to tackle the crisis in Manipur.

The Forum, on July 14, directly reached out to Prime Minister Modi, urging his presence in Manipur within a timeframe of 10 days to initiate efforts aimed at fostering unity between the Kuki and Meitei communities.

Regrettably, Kasar reported that no response had been received from the PM's Office. The Forum’s letter says: “In case Your Honour fails to come to Manipur and resolve the conflict within ten days, this Forum would be compelled to resort to any step in the interests of the people of Manipur.”

Kasar explained that though this may sound like a threat, it’s intended as an expression of the Forum’s anguish and desperation.