Senior Citizens of Manipur secretary Khaidem Mani has appealed to the international, national and regional media to refrain from publishing sensitive news stories which could be detrimental to the present volatile situation in Manipur.
He urged the media fraternity to abide by the ethical conduct norms of the Press Council of India and do their part in saving Manipur from the ongoing crisis.
Speaking to mediapersons at the Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, Imphal, Khaidem Mani emphasized the need for media and the international community to ascertain the suspected involvement of Kuki militants, both SoO and non-SoO groups, in the tribal solidarity rally on May 3.
"If they were involved it is a violation of constitutional obligations and international humanitarian laws," he said.
He further stressed on the need to identify the core issues which triggered the outburst of violence. A proper diagnosis of the current situation is needed to divert build-up of ethnic tension, he added.
He also questioned how flagrant display of firearms was allowed in civilian space.
He further urged authorities concerned to probe into the involvement of armed Kuki militants and para-military forces in several armed attacks at various foothill villages of Manipur.
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Maintaining that the current ethnic tension could not be isolated from the geopolitics in India's North East region, Mani stated that unnecessary ethnic flare up could make the region a flashpoint for international military build up.
On issues of drugs, Mani stated that the protection of poppy plantations by alleged 'narco terror groups', believed to be armed militants under SoO, was a matter of grave concern.
He exuded confidence that the cartels would strive to acquire political power and polarize ethnic communities. As such, he stressed on the immediate need to contain the booming drug economy of Manipur.
He stated that all right thinking citizens of the state should come up with measures to stop the proliferation of drug economy. It is an alarming concern for all in Manipur regardless of ethnic affiliation, he added.
He further exhorted the people especially the youths, to act responsibly and not believe in unverified news and propaganda.
He also emphasized the need for all stakeholders to exchange dialogue and restore peace in the state.
