Taragi Cheisu a leading think tank of Manipur had appealed to all the concerned citizens, clubs, and Meira Paibis of Manipur to refrain from any mode of protest that can cause misunderstanding, weaken, and hamper the socio-economic activities of the toiling masses.

In a press statement released to the media, signed by Prof. Dhakeswar Singh Potsangbam as Convenor and Khaidem Mani, Chairman of  Taragi Cheisu stated that they are highly dismayed by the frequent diktats of bandhs issued by the local clubs and associations in a clandestine manner. Taragi Cheisu as an elderly collective is equally aware of the unparalleled threat that has been posed to the integrity of Manipur largely due to the sectarian pursuit of a section of people who harbour ethnocentric aspirations. In the wake of such a difficult moment, the people of Manipur shall have to be resilient as they have been ever before in the past. Despite the emergent onslaught, the glorious spirit of our inter-ethnic socio-cultural and political manoeuvrings that we inherit from our ancestors must not be diminished in any form or manner, stated the release.

Therefore, the response of the peace-loving citizens whose ethos are multicultural, and plural cannot be analogous to those whose politics is based on engineering hatred, ethnocentrism, and illegal economic practices. To act with precision and being bound by the collective wisdom is the most viable option left for the people whose progenitors were secular, democratic and defenders of collective freedom. The people of Manipur, the Meiteis in this case, must perform this historical duty to defeat the sectarian forces who purposely indulge in hate campaigns, ethnic violence, play propaganda of religion, implantation of new population, and illicit economies as channels of their myopic politics, they advised.

Taragi Cheisu believes in co-existence and unity of Manipur. It works with the firm belief that the sectarian politics that has evidently challenged the inclusive political culture of Manipur can be certainly defeated by upholding the values of tolerance and spirit of collective decision-making. The recent mushrooming of forums and associations and innumerable diktats issued by Leikai (local) bodies often affecting the entire state of Manipur not only calls for rethinking but also it is largely unwarranted.

It further stated that, in contrast to the need for a durable response, the said clubs or associations have been often seen making knee-jerk reactions which only enhances the dubious designs of sectarian forces whose objective is to undermine the law and order, cleanse certain people from certain areas, disregarding reserved and protected forests norms and indulge into narco-economic activities. Given the situation of proverbial litmus test, the Meitei brethren shall have to act in congruence with a collective spirit of resilience that we inherit from our civilization, culture, and democratic political institutions. The fraternal brothers and sisters in Manipur who have not been directly affected by the unprecedented violence since May 3, 2023, undoubtedly must play critical constructive role in bringing back normalcy in Manipur.

The significance of Manipur’s integrity is historically reasoned. The ongoing ethnic violence is unprecedented in nature primarily due to the factors which are external and premeditated. The ramifications are widely seen across the state – may it be in terms of price rise, deprivation of free movements on highways and farming rights, threats perceived by the micro-tribes, etc. While Taragi Cheisu sternly stands against the fabrication and myopic ethnocentrism of the Kuki-Chin, it honestly dissuades Meitei brethren from any bandh, blockade or form of protest that is to seriously affect Manipur’s collective interest and its long-term well-being.

The local issues can be best dealt with and resolved at local level while the issue that is of larger in nature must be undertaken only after thorough democratic consultation and this shall be the hallmark of a politics of our land that is historically called Manipur said the media release.

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