Appeal From Manipuri Diaspora

Ref. No.: 20241224PR

Press statement, Wednesday, 25 Dec, 2024

Since May 3, 2023, the Manipuri diaspora residing outside the state has been steadfastly working to support those affected by the ongoing crisis, particularly individuals enduring sub-human conditions in various relief camps. Deeply empathetic to the suffering of our people, the diaspora remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a harmonious and prosperous future for Manipur.

At this critical juncture in our state’s history, the Meitei Alliance, representing the voice of the diaspora, wishes to share a few words. We humbly request your understanding if, in doing so, the sentiments of anyone are inadvertently hurt.

Unrest and violence in the valley makes the divisive forces happy: The divisive forces aim to show that violence continues to persist in Manipur, which is why they launch attacks after brief periods of calm. These attacks are used then used in their disinformation campaigns as attacks on them, to justify their demand for a separate administration. Their ultimate goal is to provoke us, incite anger, and push us to act impulsively without considering the consequences.

Yes, we are deeply angered by their actions, but it is essential to exercise restraint to avoid falling into their trap. When our CSOs organize protests or public rallies, it is crucial to clearly outline and communicate the dos and don’ts to the public well in advance, ensuring these guidelines are strictly adhered to.

We must channelise the people’s anger constructively to achieve positive outcomes. Otherwise, the noble intentions of a protest or rally risk being undermined, diverting focus from our cause.

Let us first be honest with ourselves: Before pointing fingers at others, let us reflect- what can each of us do? How did those MLAs and Ministers, whom we now see as incapable and merely following the whims of their masters to protect their own interests, got elected in the first place?

Do we still have our right to demand accountability, or have we sold our rights for money or personal gains during the elections? If so, maybe they assume that they can again buy our votes to win again. Is it not time for us to critically evaluate how we choose our leaders and prioritise electing genuine, dedicated representatives who will truly serve the people?

Manipur stands at a historic crossroads: The current crisis, considered to be the worse since the Seven Years Devastation. Had we been electing people with accountability and integrity in the decades of years gone by, we might not have come to where we are today. If we fail to awaken collectively, we risk facing dire consequences for our people and our beloved Manipur. The time to reflect and take responsibility is now, let us start from within ourselves.

Let us set aside narrow political differences and selfish agendas but focus on a shared vision for a peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious future for Manipur. For this we need to root out corruption of all kinds from our society, let us begin from ourselves and work together to build a Manipur that we can proudly pass on to our future generations – one where they will not have to endure the pains of the current generation.

Yours sincerely,

Convenor, Meitei Alliance