#EastWestInterconnect 

Creating space for dialogue processes

Dated: 1st September 2023

Severe ethnic armed conflict continuing for over the last 4 months has devastated lives of the people in Manipur (India) causing hundreds of precious lives lost and many hundred others injured and thousands displaced. Thousands of children are unable to attend schools, the health of tens of thousands of people is in a grave situation in hundreds of refugee camps all over Manipur, hills and valleys, beyond the state and the region, farmers are unable to go to their fields, elderly persons, women and children cry for their homes, daily, and yet there is no sign of the end of this war. This will have far reaching socio-cultural, economic and psycho-social consequences in the many years to come. Deep divisions and extreme cruelties against one another have shattered our humanity beyond recovery without any intervention. Violence has to end immediately for restoration of harmonious relations. There is no room whatsoever for divisions of our present and future generations to come. We are committed to create an atmosphere for dialogue across conflicting communities in the interests of our humanity.

We, the undersigned, individuals, groups and organizations across tribes and peoples, states, regions and the countries, earnestly appeal to all, the armed and unarmed groups and organizations engaging in violent activities to immediately cease all forms of violence including mutual hate campaigns in the media and good sense to prevail. 

This public appeal is in acknowledgement of all the peace-loving peoples of the world, women and elderly persons across the divides in Manipur, and in rest of India, and international communities including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, South Asia Forum on Human Rights, leaders of interfaith initiatives, civil society organizations and others who have been consistently calling for peace in Manipur. This is a call to save all generations from all kinds of violence so that we may live as good neighbors and responsible citizens in India.

We appeal to all the groups and organizations engaged in the ongoing violent confrontations to immediately stop all kinds of violent activities. Please, append your signatures in commitment to restore humanity for future generations with effect from 15 SEPTEMBER 2023

1. Gunfire, bombing, shooting against one another between communities

2. Burning and destruction of properties across the community

3. Threats and intimidations by show of weapons and through social media

4. Blockades and counter-blockades on all approach roads, state and national highways 

5. Selective identification of targeted people across communities and harming them

6. All kinds of killing and injuries meted out against one another across the divides

7. Blocking passage of Ambulance and security vehicles on the roads

8. Blocking, looting and destruction of transportation of humanitarian relief materials meant for the victims of violence

9. Targeting the weak, women and child soldiering 

* And by stopping all the above violent activities,

10. Mutually extend all possible cooperation to exchange all dead bodies and trace out those who have disappeared to accord solemn rites with honor and dignity each deserve

Public Truce watch

We, the undersigned, will be closely watching the progress of this public truce by all involved parties; national and international supporters and peace-loving peoples across the communities throughout the state and region. Any break down of this publicly endorsed truce by any concerned party, and continuation of any kind violence provoking activities will be understood as an act against humanity, and future collective.

We pray and hope that all parties will be able to celebrate life by strictly respecting this public truce and taking responsibility for ensuring that all individuals and groups across the communities observe the same in the name of our children and God we each believe.

In the name of God and Humanity, we as parties in conflict append our signature here, below ....