To                                                                                   22nd February 2025

Shri  Ajay  Kumar  Bhalla

The  Governor  of  Manipur,                                                                   

Imphal, Manipur

Your  Excellency,

The  people  of  Manipur  continue  to  endure  severe  hardships  amidst the  ongoing ethno- political  conflict, ostensibly  between  the  Meitei  and Kuki  ethnic  communities. As  concerned  civil  society  organizations  and citizens  of  India, we  acknowledge  and appreciate  the  ongoing  efforts  to recover  illegal  arms  from  armed  groups  on  both sides of the conflict. We welcome  your  announcement  seeking  the  return  of  all  illegal arms within  seven  days  voluntarily  or  face  action. 

The  first  and  most  potent  way  to  usher  in  peace  in  the  State  is  by seizure  of  all  illegal arms  from  all  parties  to  ensure  complete disarmament  of  radical  elements  and  prevent  the proliferation  of  illegal, lethal  weapons  in  the  future. 

While  it is  important  to  take  exemplary  action  against  those  who  do not  surrender their  arms  within  the set  time  as  a  warning  to  others, it is  also  equally  important  to grant  amnesty  to  those  who  comply. The security  forces  on  their  part  should conduct  their  operations  strictly within  the  bounds  of  Rule  of  Law  and  avoid  giving further  hardship  to the  general  public  in  the  form  of  collateral  damages. It  may  be emphasized  that  this  disarmament  is  necessary  to  establish Constitutional governance,  fixing  responsibilities  and  accountability  and most  importantly, for creating  an  enabling  environment  where independent  and  organically  evolved  civil society  groups  can  re-emerge and pave  the  way  towards  lasting  peace  among Manipur's  divided communities.

We  request  you  to  initiate  meaningful  and  sincere  dialogues  aimed  at  addressing unresolved  issues  and  fostering  reconciliation. An  important  and  immediate requirement  will  be  the  breaking  down  of  barriers  between  what  have  now  become exclusive  Meitei  and  Kuki  areas  and  ensure  safe  and  free  passage  of  all communities  through  all  areas  of  the  State. 

Equally  urgent  is  the  need  to  create  the  required  environment  for  security  and sustenance  to  ensure  the  safe  return  of  all  those  in  relief  camps  and  taking  shelter  outside  their  homes  at  the  earliest. 

Only  through  such  efforts  can  the  wounds  inflicted  by  this  conflict  be  healed, and allow  both  communities  to  rebuild  and  coexist  in  peace.

Sincerely,