Mattersindia Reporter
Guwahati,September 29 2023:Even as Imphal Valley was in turmoil over the disappearance of two students, Interfaith Forum for Peace and harmony, Manipur, were meeting with Kuki Church leaders searching for ways of peace.
While this meeting was the initiative of Interfaith forum, it was prompted and supported by Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, who had visited Manipur four times since 3rd May violence, in an effort to begin a peace dialogue in some manner or the other. He was assisted by Father Tom Mangattutthazhe and Joshua Thiek.
In Manipur itself, Deben Bachaspatimayum had been working tirelessly to mobilize groups in favour of peace. The emergence of the Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony on June 5, of which Archbishop Menamparampil was chosen as the Convenor, was the fruit of his sustained effort.
Archbishop Dominic Lumon of Imphal, who was one of the founders of the Interfaith Forum was personally present at the meeting in Guwahati, made several insightful suggestions at key moments of the discussion.
Archbishop Menamparampil set a tone for the discussions with his initial remarks about the need of mutual respect and openness in dialogue. He pointed out that the time was sensitive and this was the first meeting of some significance.
This meeting of members of Interfaith Forum with Kuki Church leaders, altogether 20 in number including Meiteis, Kukis and other communities, that took place on September 26-27 at Social Forum, Kharghuli, Guwahati, appealed for an all-round effort for peace in Manipur.
The Inter Faith group describes itself as “A humble group of religious leaders of Manipur” who urge “to end the cycle of violence in every form” i.e. to stop aggressive actions, threats or provocative statements.
Simultaneously, the group requested their “friends and supporters in Manipur and outside to avoid every form of exaggeration in the description of past or current events and negative projection of the future in media or other social contexts”.
The Forum went on to appeal “that every effort be made to initiate peace conversations at local levels and collaboration in whatever way possible”. They pleaded “that no obstacle be placed on the movement of relief materials, including medical assistance of various kinds”.
Further, the participants agreed to encourage positive media support for peace, other initiatives like signature campaign among key stakeholders on both sides for Public Truce ending violence. They expressed their desire that religious leaders interact online from time to time until direct meeting will be possible.
The Forum looks forward to similar efforts by women groups, intellectuals, and other people of good will on both sides.
The participants expressed their gratitude to all those who have been helpful to their people who were forced to leave Manipur either to pursue their studies or in search of work.