On Sunday, a group of 40 organisations staged a demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to call for the restoration of peace in Manipur. The call for this demonstration was given by like-minded groups and civil rights activists.
The Manipur conflict in the northeastern state of India is now leading to a humanitarian crisis with thousands of people displaced from their homes.
The speakers from various civil society organisations expressed their deepest regrets and sorrow for the ethnic violence that has so far resulted in around 100 fatalities, over 300 injuries, and about 60,000 displacements since it started on May 3.
It is imperative to stress that persons looking for shelter in relief camps are dealing with incredibly difficult situations and lack necessities like food, clothing, and clean water.
There was widespread resentment among the speakers and civil rights activists who participated in the demonstration. They criticised and blamed the state and the central government for their failure to control the conflict in Manipur. Some even demanded that the president’s rule be imposed in the state.
Initially, the protest was for 11 AM-4 PM, but the permission was cut down by the authorities to 1 PM. There was a lot of police force which asked the demonstrations to leave the venue by 1 PM. Although it was a peaceful protest. This indicates that the central government wants to quell any protest that shows it in a bad light.
The organisations also voiced their sorrow for the state’s burning down of hundreds of churches.
With each passing day, the protests and demonstrations related to the inability of both the central and the state governments in Manipur are gaining traction. Just yesterday CPI’s Manipur unit held a protest at the same venue.
Media outlets are reporting on the issue and highlighting the plight of Manipuris. International news organisations are calling the situation in Manipur on the brink of a civil war.
Some intellectuals are also terming the Manipur crisis grave than the Gujarat Ghodra riots where the situation came under control within a few days. Although it’s good to lecture the world on human rights and democracy.
But the government also need to get its house in order before preaching what it’s not practising.