Imphal, Feb 12 : Concerned with the ceaseless violence as a consequence of the ongoing insurgency movement, Senior Citizens for Society said Central Government leaders have been urged to initiate political dialogue with major insurgent groups without any pre-conditions.
Speaking to newspersons at his Nagamapal RIMS Road residence today, the Society's president N Binoy stated that a memorandum has been sent to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to have political dialogues with major insurgent groups of Manipur so as to enable the people live in peace.
The senior citizen desired that the political dialogue, if any, should involve the State Government.
The insurgent groups according to Binoy include the RPF/PLA, UNLF, KYKL, PREPAK, KCP, PULF and UPPK.
As peace parleys are already in motion between the Government of India with both factions of the NSCN apart from signing suspension of operation agreement with Kuki armed groups and the Central as well as the State Governments, Endeavour towards restoring peace and tranquility in Manipur need to encompass the other insurgent groups as well, Binoy pointed out.
Highlighting that root cause for the problems besieging Manipuri society today is due to the ongoing armed conflict between the insurgent groups and security forces, the president also opined that as gun-fights would only lead to more blood-sheds rather than restore peace, testing political dialogue as a means to solve the issue should not be overlooked.
Informing that the society's representation was sent to the Prime Minister yesterday, Binoy also said one copy each had been addressed to the UPA Chairperson, Union Home Minister, Finance Minister, Defense Minister, leaders of opposition parties and to the Manipur Governor.
Stating that in case the proposal evokes positive response from the Centre, members of the Senior Citizen for Society would undertake journeys to contact UG groups to prevail upon the top leaders enter into political dialogue.
Observing that it would be futile to expect the UGs to come out from their hideouts in case there is no cessation in the conflict between security forces and insurgent cadres, Binoy suggested that authorities concerned should stop stage managed killings under the pretext of combating insurgency.
Moreover, the UG groups on their part need to respond positively in case the Centre accepts proposal for the political dialogue to capitalize on the opportunity for driving home the points to the Indian leaders on how Manipur had lost its sovereign status, he suggested while adding that it is equally important for leaders of the UG groups to abstain from all activities that could hamper the initiative.
On the ongoing armed movement, Binoy noted that the UG groups are yet to produce a white-paper on the future of Manipur in case of success of the movement.
Stating that UG groups have equal responsibility in saving hunger striker Irom Chanu Sharmila's life, he further asserted that even if Government of India do not approve proposal to initiate the unconditional political dialogue, the senior citizens would proceed to New Delhi to sustain its effort.
Joining in the media briefing, Society general secretary Dr L Sadananda recounted that concerned with the plight of the general public under the impact of the conflict situation with the same effect also effecting progress of the State senior citizens formed the body so as to chart out a mean in finding an amicable solution to the myriad problems.
Iterating that insurgency movement is the root cause of all the problems besetting the Manipuri society, Sadananda also stressed on the need to end the conflict on the negotiating table.
Insisting that declaration of Manipur as a disturbed area or continued imposition of the repressive AFSPA cannot contain the armed movement, the general secretary emphasised that the Central Government should accord top priority to the problem as a national issue and advocate political dialogue without any pre-conditions.
The Society's secretary Advocate Khaidem Mani, who was also present informed that fifth general body meeting of the Society was held on January 21 during which the main focus was on the prevailing law and order situation and the suffering of the people.
He also insisted that for success of any peace parleys between the Government and the insurgent groups there should be no pre-conditions as the first step for derailment of any dialogue concerns setting terms and conditions before the actual task begins.
Kh Mani also suggested that Government set up a public consultative committee through inclusion of prominent public figures and members of the intellectual community.
He also confided that as memoranda have been forwarded to the Government leaders same procedure would be initiated to apprise UG leaders join in the political dialogue.
The Sangai Express
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