Imphal: The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), Manipur on Wednesday announced to observe May 3 as Bridging Divides for Shared Future — a Day of Remembrance and Reflection for the People of Manipur, at Yumnam Khunou, Imphal East.
On May 3, 2023, Kuki-Zo community with the support of armed militants attacked Meitei villages in Manipur following a rally. Since then Manipur has remained a restless conflict region.
“This date marks two years since the violent aggression committed by armed illegal immigrants who waged an undeclared war against the indigenous Meitel community of Manipur. The attack was not merely an act of conflict, but a coordinated campaign of ethnic violence that left deep scars on our land and our people,” said a press statement released by the federation.
On this day in May 2023, innocent lives were lost, homes were burned to ashes, and entire families were uprooted from their own lands. The violence claimed the lives of many unarmed youths, forcing others-barely out of their teens-to take up the role of village volunteers to defend their people and land in the absence of timely state protection, it added.
The illegal immigrants infiltrated from across the border, systematically targeted Meitei settlements in places like Churachandpur, Moreh, Imphal West, Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts. Thousands were displaced as their homes, farms and livelihoods were destroyed overnight. Today, many still live as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in relief camps and temporary shelters, far from the places they once called home, it said.
“This observance is not only about remembering the pain but also about recognizing our shared strength and resilience. The theme. “Bridging Divides for Shared Future”, speaks to our collective responsibility to heal the wounds of the past while standing firm in our commitment to justice, peace and the survival of our indigenous identity.”
The federation ‘warmly’ invited all IDPs, civil society organisations, community leaders, student and women organisations/women folk/Meira Paibi and every concerned citizen to attend this ‘important event’.
“Let this be a platform for remembrance, solidarity, and a shared vision for the future. This is a crucial moment in our shared history – a moment not to forget, but to remember with dignity, to grieve with unity, and to act with courage.” “Let us stand together to ensure that such violence and displacement never happen again in our land.” Let this day serve as both a remembrance of the past and a call for justice, peace and coexistence rooted in truth and dignity.”
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