NONGSTOIN, July 4: A large number of people participated in a peace walk here organised by the faithful of the Catholic Church of Nongstoin Diocese for Manipur, where communal clashes broke out in May this year and a law and order situation has prevailed since then, while over 100 lives have been lost and people compelled to flee their homes.
The peace walk was led by the Bishop of Nongstoin, Willbert Marwein, who was accompanied by Fr. Anselm Nonglang, Fr Roland Lyngdo and others. The peace walk started from Ladweitang (near Indoor Stadium) and culminated at New Nongstoin playground, where a short meeting was organised to express solidarity with the people of violence-hit Manipur
Speaking on the occasion, Bishop Willbert Marwein appealed to both the Meitei and Kuki tribes in the Northeastern state to set aside their differences and restore peace.
Bloodshed and arson are not the solution of problems, the Bishop said, adding that an open dialogue will bring a permanent solution to both the tribes in Manipur.
Stating that there may be a conspiracy behind the unrest, he called upon the people to realise that the people of Northeast should realise that the incidents may not be the only result of differences between the two communities.
He asked people of the region to question themselves as to why churches and schools are targeted if the unrest is about the two communities.
The Bishop has also urged the Centre and the Manipur government besides every individual to bring back peace and normalcy in the state.
It may be mentioned that violence first broke out in Manipur after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. So far, more than 100 people have died and several hundred injured, besides thousands taking shelter in relief camps.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribal Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
