Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guwahati (Agenzia Fides) - In a silent sit-in recently held in Guwahati, capital of the state of Assam, citizens of different religions and ethnicities have asked the rulers for a greater commitment to peace, especially in the state of Manipur; to raise awareness to promote coexistence and peace in the society of northeastern India and have invoked God to grant peace in Manipur, a state affected by a prolonged social crisis characterized by violence, forced displacement and social tensions.
The event held in recent days brought together intellectuals, political representatives, members of civil society, students and workers, who have waved banners demanding peace and stability. The demonstration is also intended to be an expression of solidarity with the population of Manipur and a call to the federal government to intervene urgently, adopting measures to restore harmony and coexistence. The organizers recalled that Manipur has been mired in unrest for over a year and a half, with hundreds of deaths and thousands of displaced people forced to live in refugee camps in extremely difficult conditions. “In a desperate situation, there has been no recognition of the crisis in parliament or by the central government,” said those present, calling for greater government commitment to issues affecting communal coexistence in the country. “The situation is volatile and, without immediate action, there is a real threat that this unrest will spread to other parts of the northeast,” they warned. During the meeting, the urgent need for unity between political parties, civil society groups and citizens to restore peace in Manipur was stressed. The protest concluded with a national appeal to all Indian citizens, urging them to overcome political, ethnic, communal and religious divisions. “Every citizen has a personal and collective responsibility to promote peace, justice and respect for human rights, especially for the suffering people of Manipur,” the message said. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 13/12/2024)
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