Various organisations come together to express solidarity with victims of Manipur ethnic violence

It has been a year since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur between the Meitei and tribal Kuki-Zo communities, which left several people killed, injured and displaced. Various organisations came together in the city on Saturday to emphasise the need to end the violence in Manipur.

Indian Christian Women’s Movement (ICWM) along with organisations including Dravidar Kazhagam, Poovulangin Nanbargal, All India Democratic Women’s Association and Neelam Cultural Centre organised various events to express Tamil Nadu’s solidarity with the victims in Manipur.

Members of the ICWM noted that they had been working with Manipur people, particularly the KukiZo community for the past one year and the meeting was a call to condemn the communal violence against Manipur people and urge the State and Central governments to take action to end violence. Various speakers noted that there was need to lend voice to the victims in Manipur, address the struggles of the vulnerable groups and bring peace in the land.

Advocate and activist from Dravidar Kazhagam A. Arulmozhi elaborated on the Manipur con›ict and the root causes of the violence that has devastated the small State. Charging that the governments remained silent over human rights violations and sexual assault on women, she said people had more responsibility in Žghting against the disinformation and conspiracy theories of the right wing.

Inadequate coverage

Independent journalists Makepeace Sithlou and Greeshma Kuthar spoke about the ground reality in Manipur that was not largely covered and how people had been turned refugees and displaced to other parts of the country.

An exhibition showing the visuals from the violence, protests, and scenes of struggle captured by journalists was held.

Other speakers included P. Suganthi from AIDWA, advocate M. Vetriselvan from Poovulagin Nanbargal, advocate Pa.Pa. Mohan, Jaqueline Jothi of Church of South India, and writer-journalist Jeyarani.

A candlelight vigil seeking a political solution and justice for victims of the communal strife and violence was also held during the event.

M. SRINATH Paying tribute: Activists held candle lights in memory of the victims of the communal strife and called for a political solution to the crisis in Manipur on Saturday.