The tragic ethnic clash in Manipur that triggered within a day and spread like wildfire in the Kuki dominated district of Churachandpur and later spread to the valley area as well as capital Imphal is not only a black incidence in the history of Manipur but very unfortunate and catastrophic for the region. It is painful to see that after 75 years of our Independence and with all the modern facilities we enjoy today due to our hard earned freedom, it is yet disturbing that we cannot leave our identity politics and stay united in one small land.

Manipur is a dear place for us all. It is known as the Jewel of India. Nothing can be more disturbing to watch the destruction of a society that boasts of thousands years of civilisation. The very fact that thirty two communities have been living together in Manipur  for ages talks about the purity and innocence of the place.  Now these ethnic clashes are taking place with the changing socio-economic factors multiplying as days progresses; it is high time that we need to bridge gaps between communities and not fight.

The situation has aggrieved to such an extent that standing today there seems to be a point of no return. Each side is ready to finish off the other. What has escalated the situation to such an extent? Why are Meiteis feeling insecure in their own land? Who is instigating the Kuki community to take up arms against the Meiteis? Is there a foreign hand at play or is it genuine internal grievance or dirty politics?

All these questions can be sorted out later but first the thirst for each other’s blood has to stop. The hunger for power and the uncivilised attitude of ‘might is right’ needs to end. Peace and calm should prevail. The federal structure should prevail and the state should be in a position to run its own business. It is not the business of the centre to run and govern a state.

By these mindless violence what we lost is time will only say but definitely we have lost our innocence and the beauty of a cultured state is gone with the wind. All the hope of development and peace is a mirage now.

Manipur clashes are not only loss to the people of Manipur but it does affect the aspiration of the whole of north east if not the country. It is our responsibility to uphold our dignity and achieve our goals. Whether we want to reach our goals through guns or through sweat is what we have to decide. Let us try to give some future for our future generations…