Manipur is no doubt in conflict. With each day passing things are going from bad to worse and there is no hope of any solution visible. In such a situation what should people do? How do we carry forward our day-to-day life? Even though we may shout at the top of our voices the kitchen has to function to feed the mouths, the children need to study and play and we need to keep our mental health intact through regular physical and mental activities.

The best situation to be in while we are in a conflict environment is first to stay safe. We need to protect lives and properties. Sufficient food products should be kept in stock not amounting to hoarding. Sufficient does not mean waste. Hoarding in any form is not civilised in any situation.

While in conflict we need more discipline in our life. The work time in any way is reduced due to restrictions, blockades or mob movement, etc. It is pertinent that work life is maintained at any cost, whatever time we get to maintain the level of productivity. Government officials should also ensure that productivity is somehow can be maintained without making human life in danger. Work-from-home, assignments on projects can be given to people. This will make a healthy work-life balance as people can be kept engaged in their work even though they cannot attend office.

Rumor-mongering is one aspect that we should be very conscious of as there is a high possibility of misinformation flowing. The perpetrator of conflict flourishes on misinformation and rumor. The emotions should be kept in check and humanity should prevail. It is at the time of conflict that the community should come together and a human approach is needed. 

The terrorist is to terrorise. Civil society cannot become inhuman. It is the job of the security forces to protect human lives and neutralise terrorists. Any form of violence cannot be justified and we should not encourage it let alone be part of it.

The political establishment should tread very carefully in a conflict situation as any small wrong statement or step may lead to multiple repercussions. Politicians should act more carefully and avoid any brinkmanship but rather evolve to be statesmanlike or at least not talk at all.   

Media as always has to perform its role as well as make a balanced reporting but also has to take care of the security of its people and newsman. Newsman works in a risky environment and people also need to exempt the newsman from any form of intimidation and restriction. Most important for newsmen to double verify each and every bit of information and double check what they are writing without hurting any sentiments. What media needs to understand is that ‘conflict’ is a sensitive thin line and any life lost on any side is a painful experience for the family that lost their near one… 

What we need to also accept is that any form of conflict can only be solved through dialogue and communication and not by military actions. But dialogue and communication often take a long time to solve any problem due to multiple factors. So we need to also accept that we are not going to get a solution to any conflict on a plate but shall take time. So better be prepared for it.

Let peace prevail…