Imphal, Aug 28 (PTI) Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Friday said individuals in the state who did not want peace needed to be identified.
Singh made the remarks at a guest lecture titled ‘On Manipur Situation: Prevailing Trust Deficit and the Path Towards Trust-Building’, organised by the Assam Rifles.
The CM said before the outbreak of violence in May 2023, he regularly travelled to the hill areas and witnessed an atmosphere of peace, harmony and cooperation among communities.
The violence, however, fundamentally changed the situation in the state, he said.
On the prevailing trust deficit, Singh said it could not be overcome merely through discussions or rhetoric but required sustained interaction, dialogue and understanding among communities.
Stating that restoration of peace is the foremost priority, Singh said the government would not compromise on this objective and that justice would be delivered to the victims.
He also said during his visits to various relief camps and hill districts, he interacted with people from different communities and found that their common desire was to live in peace and return to their respective homes.
Singh also said certain individuals and groups who seek to spread conflict must be identified.
“There are people who do not want peace. We have to identify and correct them because common people want peace,” he said.
Singh also acknowledged the role of police, Assam Rifles and other security forces in protecting lives during the crisis and that members of different communities had also helped one another to save human lives during the difficult period.
He said Assam Rifles and other security forces helped in the evacuation of 47,000 people to safer places during the conflict.
He also appealed to all communities, civil society organisations, political leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate and work collectively towards removing the prevailing trust deficit and restoring peace in the state. PTI COR MNB
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