Incidentally, NEHU community is the very first in raising its voice in developing solidarity and bonding at the level of peoples that can create psychological and social conditions for lasting peace in a troubled Manipur. The NEHU fraternity, therefore, is seriously thinking what best could be done to recreate an atmosphere of safety and security for affected individuals and groups and for those whose life and livelihoods underwent a tumult and torment in the last few months and weeks, it said.

The NEHUTA is particularly concerned about people who lost their homes and are living in relief camps and other shelters without adequate relief and support. Women and children, lactating mothers, especially abled and homeless and other such marginalized sections bore a huge psychosocial scar and hence in-fighting turned out to be self-inflicted injuries that need to be healed by instilling a sense of confidence and fellow-feeling among troubled communities.  A sense of forgiving and empathy can only dispel fear and retribution that has to be worked out at the right earnest, the association said.

Given the fragile ethnic balance of Manipur, restoration of living places with proper financial support is the first task at hand, NEHUTA said. Those who are not able to attend their offices and jobs need to be brought back to their workplace after calming it down and after ensuring that there are no repeat acts of violence in this or that pretext. A sense of moral responsibility and sensible recognition of the pain of others need to be inculcated among everyone so that the culture of coexistence and mutual support could be revived. Manipur requires all possible support to restore itself into nonviolence and amity, NEHUTA said.

The NEHUTA suggests that a peace process must begin at the right earnest by keeping guards at the vulnerable sites so that armed groups are forced to abjure the path of violent retribution. The level of precarity and insecurity need to be reduced and it is to be replaced by a sense of security and assured peace. The governments at the state and the Centre, ordinary citizens, civil society groups have to actively engage themselves in risk reduction and extension of social safety. It requires that an impartial administration is the need of the hour that can mitigate any polarized way of working among the public and remove the prevailing sense of precariousness.

The NEHU fraternity pledges to stand for the affected and the victimized and asks for adequate reparation and restitution for all affected without any discrimination. The NEHUTA impresses upon everyone the fact that political issues can be resolved only in an atmosphere of violence-free Manipur so that peace with justice can be accomplished without any further delay.

The NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) has stood by the cause of peace and justice with its full strength. Large presence of members of NEHU Non-Teaching Staff association (NEHUNSA) has also been very supportive of the cause, NEHUTA said. The NEHUTA expressed its thanks and gratitude for spontaneous support that it received from all ethnic groups in standing together for peace in Manipur.