Step Back from the Edge: A Citizens’ Appeal for Peace, Justice and Sisterhood in Manipur
Issued on the 51st Commemoration Day of India’s Political Emergency
We, the undersigned citizens, organisations, public intellectuals, faith leaders, women’s rights activists, workers’ organisations, democratic rights groups and concerned people of India, issue this appeal with deep concern over the fast worsened situation in Manipur.
For more than three years, Manipur has lived through violence, displacement, militarisation, fear and separation. What began in May 2023 as a devastating conflict between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has now entered a wider and more dangerous phase, with recent escalation involving Naga and Kuki communities. Reports of abductions, killings, retaliatory mobilisation, shutdowns, forced displacement and growing mistrust across hill and valley point to a grave breakdown of civic life.
We mourn the dead from all communities: Kuki-Zo, Meitei, Naga and others. We acknowledge the grief of the Kuki-Zo people who have faced mass displacement, exile, destruction of homes, attacks on places of worship and continuing insecurity. We acknowledge the grief and anger of the Naga people over abductions and killings, including of ordinary civilians and church-linked persons. We acknowledge the fear, insecurity and loss experienced by Meitei families, many of whom have also suffered deaths, displacement and the collapse of everyday life. Smaller communities, workers, women, children and the elderly have also been trapped in a conflict they did not create.
We are particularly disturbed by reports of civilians being abducted and held by armed groups, and by the killing of persons after capture. Civilians cannot be used as bargaining instruments. Detainees and hostages must not be harmed. Their safety, dignity, medical care and unconditional release are basic humanitarian obligations.
At the same time, we recognise every act of restraint that has prevented further bloodshed. The intervention that helped secure the release of 14 Kuki detainees from Naga custody, despite intense public anger, deserves acknowledgement as an important peace gesture. Such actions show that community institutions can still choose responsibility over revenge.
We appeal to Kuki-Zo, Naga, Meitei and all other community organisations: do not allow Manipur to be dragged into a war of all against all. Each community is being pushed to see the other as the primary enemy, while larger questions of state failure, militarisation, land, resources, drugs, arms, impunity, political manipulation and democratic breakdown remain unresolved.
We are deeply concerned that the conflict is increasingly being reframed in ways that divide tribal peoples against one another and religious communities against one another, while the original questions of constitutional protection, land rights, hill-valley justice, state accountability and minority security are pushed aside. India cannot allow Manipur to become a laboratory of ethnic fragmentation, militarised governance and communal manipulation.
The North East has suffered long histories of armed conflict. It has also built fragile but important pathways towards peace through ceasefire agreements, political negotiations and community-led reconciliation. For nearly three decades, the Government of India has entered into different peace processes with different communities and armed organisations in the region. The Indo-Naga peace process, beginning with the 1997 ceasefire agreement with the NSCN-IM, remains one of the most significant of these political trajectories. Whatever its delays and unresolved questions, it has kept open the principle that historic grievances must be addressed through dialogue rather than endless war.
The present violence threatens to weaken public trust in such peace processes. If communities begin to believe that ceasefires, peace talks and political agreements cannot protect lives, dignity and territory; the region will be pushed back into deeper insecurity. Competitive claims of victimhood and blaming the other, cannot be the defining point of our civilisational existence. The Government of India must not allow faith in negotiated peace to collapse. It must act with transparency, impartiality and constitutional responsibility.
We urge all armed actors, village defence formations, militant groups and community-based armed units to immediately cease attacks on civilians, stop abductions, disclose the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons, release every civilian detainee or hostage, respect places of worship, halt hate propaganda, and allow humanitarian access across affected areas. We call upon women’s organisation to be the torchbearers of peace, as the Naga, Meitei and Kuki women’s groups have done in the past.
We demand the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to protect lives without discrimination, prevent armed mobilisation, recover looted and illegal weapons from all groups, investigate killings, ensure safe passage, and rebuild trust. The people of Manipur cannot be asked to wait while the conflict expands from one axis of violence to another.
We call upon the Union Government to facilitate an impartial, credible and time-bound peace process involving Kuki-Zo, Meitei, Naga, Pangal, Missing, Hmar and other affected communities. Such a process must include women, church bodies, tribal institutions, student organisations, human rights groups, displaced persons, youth and independent mediators trusted by the communities.
We call for an independent, judicially monitored investigation into all major incidents of violence since May 2023, including killings, sexual violence, arson, destruction of places of worship, abductions, enforced disappearance, hostage-taking, custodial abuse, targeted attacks and the role of armed groups, state forces and political actors.
We call for the urgent tracing of all missing persons, dignified return of mortal remains, witness protection, medical and psychosocial support to survivors, and compensation and rehabilitation based on loss and need, not ethnicity.
We call for safe humanitarian corridors, unhindered relief, rebuilding of homes, restoration of education, protection of women and children, and the right of displaced persons to live with security, dignity and informed consent. No return must be forced. No displacement must be normalised.
We appeal to churches, temples, mosques, traditional institutions, women’s groups, student bodies, trade unions, teachers, artists, journalists and civil society platforms across Manipur and India to build local peace circles, inter-community mouming spaces, truth-telling forums and humanitarian solidarity networks.
We also call upon media organisations and social-media users to stop circulating unverified, inflammatory and dehumanising content. In the present situation, words can deepen violence or help prevent it.
This appeal is not neutral between violence and peace, or between impunity and justice. But it refuses to turn any entire community into the enemy. The lives of Kuki-Zo people matter. The lives of Naga people matter. The lives of Meitei people matter. The lives of all communities in Manipur matter.
Peace cannot mean silence. Justice cannot mean revenge. Fraternity and sorority cannot mean erasing historical grievances. Democracy cannot survive if communities are left to negotiate life and death through armed formations while elected governments and constitutional institutions fail in their duty.
We appeal to every community in Manipur: step back from the edge. Refuse the script of mutual destruction. Protect your neighbour even when you disagree with their politics. Honour the dead without creating new dead.
We appeal to the people of India: do not look away. Manipur is not a distant borderland. Manipur is a test of the Indian republic’s constitutional and moral character.
Let there be an immediate ceasefire of words and weapons. Let every hostage and detainee be released. Let every missing person be traced. Let every killing be investigated. Let every displaced family be protected. Let every community be heard.
Issued by concerned citizens and civil society organisations of India as facilitated by South Asian Solidarity Collective, Friends of the Earth (India) and Delhi Solidarity Group.
Signatories:
1. Aashima Subberwal, The Research Collective, New Delhi
2. Dr Ajaz Shaikh, Researcher and Academic, Ahmedabad
3. Alaka Basu
4. Amit Bhaduri, Economist, New Delhi
5. Amrita Chhachhi, Photographer, Author, New Delhi
6. Anand Patwardhan, Film maker and Educator, Mumbai
7. Annie Raja, Political Women’s Rights Activist with Communist Party of India, New Delhi
8. Anuradha Kapoor, Kolkata, West Bengal
9. Anwar Ali, Writer, Keralam
10. Apoorvanand, Academic and Author, New Delhi
11. Aruna Burte
12. Arundhati Dhuru, Social Activist, Uttar Pradesh
13. Arun Mohan, Film Maker, Media Collective, New Delhi
14. Dr Asha A Joseph, Film Maker & Educator, #ZeTo Campaign, Keralam
15. Ashim Roy, Trade Unionist, Gujarat
16. Ashok Chowdhury, senior trade unionist and founding member AIUFWP
17. Avinash Kumar, Co-Convenor, Wada Na Todo Abhiyan, New Delhi
18. Prof Badri Raina, Author and Columnist
19. Charan, Social Activist, Jharkhand
20. CR Neelakandan, Social Activist, National Coordinator, NAPM Keralam
21. Chayanika Shah, Mumbai
22. Dr Denzil Fernandes SJ, Professor and Head, Department of Peace and Reconciliation, Indian Social Institute
23. Evita Das, Researcher & Executive Director, People’s Commission and Public Inquiry Committee, New Delhi
24. Gabriele Dietrich, Theologian and Educator, Tamil Nadu
25. Dr Ghanshyam Shah, Retired Professor JNU, Ahmedabad
26. Govind Kelkar
27. Harsh Mander, former civil servant and activist, New Delhi
28. Harshika, Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan)
29. Indu Prakash Singh, Facilitator, CityMakers Mission International, New Delhi
30. Ishani, Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan)
31. Jagruti, Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan)
32. Dr James C. Dabhi, Director, Centre for Culture and Development, Baroda, Gujarat
33. John Dayal, Senior Journalist, New Delhi
34. Jyoti Mhapsekar, Stree Mukti Sanghatana
35. K Sachidanandan, Poet & Writer, Keralam
36. Kalyani Menon Sen, Independent Researcher, Coimbatore
37. Kamal, Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan)
38. Dr Khadeeja Mumthaz, Desheeya Manavika Vedi, Keralam
39. Khushbu, Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan)
40. Kochurani Abraham, Indian Christian Women’s Movement
41. Mrs Krishana Mahanty, President, Utkal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
42. Krishnakanth Chauhan, Convenor, Friends of the Earth-India, Gujarat
43. Lalita Ramdas, Peace and Anti-Nuclear Advocate and Writer, Maharashtra
44. Lara Jesani, PUCL-India, Mumbai
45. Latha Jishnu, Journalist, New Delhi
46. Leena Dabiru, Social Activist, ANHAD
47. Madhu Bhushan, Delhi
48. Prof Manoranjan Mahanty, Retd Professor, Delhi University
49. Meera Sanghamitra, National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), Telangana
50. Meghanath, Film Maker, AKHRA, Ranchi, Jharkhand
51. Milind Champanerkar, Author and Translator, Maharashtra
53. Mohan Rao, National handloom and Handicrafts Federation, Chirala, Andhra Pradesh
52. Mitra Ranjan, Education Activist, Delhi
54. Mythri Prasad-Aleyamma, Independent Researcher, Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam
55. Nandana Hareesh, Researcher, PC-PIC, New Delhi
56. Dr. Nandini Sundar, Academic and Author, Delhi
57. Dr Navdeep Mathur, Faculty, IIM Ahmedabad
58. Neeta, Concerned Citizen
59. Nicholas Chinnappan, Tamil Nadu Land Rights Federation & President, FoE-India, Tamil Nadu
60. Nilamadhaba Parida, Social Activist, Odisha
61. Nisha Biswas, Concerned Citizen
62. P N Gopeekrishnan, Writer, Social Activist, Keralam
63. Pamela Philipose, Senior Journalist and Women’s Rights Advocate, Delhi
64. Papori Bora, Centre for Women’s Studies
65. Peggy Mohan, Author, Delhi
66. Prafulla Samanthara, Convenor, FoE India, Odisha & Goldman Environmental Awardee
67. Prasad Chacko, National Secretary, PUCL, Ahmedabad, Executive Member, Friends of the Earth-India, Ahmedabad
68. Pyoli, Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan)
69. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Social Activist, Allahabad
70. Radha Kumar, Scholar known for work on ethnic conflict and peace processes, Delhi
71. Dr Raghavan Rangarajan, Professor, Ahmedabad
72. Ramkrishna Tandel, Chairperson, National Fishworkers Forum (NFF)
73. Ramya Pushkar, Pakistan India Peoples Forum for Peace & Democracy, National Secretariat, New Delhi
74. Reena, Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan)
75. Dr Rekha Raj, Researcher, Dalit Activist, Delhi
76. Renu Pokharna, India Recycle, Ahmedabad
77. Reshma, Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan)
78. Rita, Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan)
79. Rita Manchanda, Feminist Researcher and Author, New Delhi
80. Rohini Hensman, Writer and Independent Scholar, Mumbai
81. Rohit Prajapati, Researcher and Writer, Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti, Gujarat
82. Roma, Advocate and General Secretary, All India Union of Forest Working People (AIUFWP), New Delhi
83. Ruth Manorama, Right Livelihood laureate and Dalit Women’s Rights Organiser, Karnataka
84. Sadhna Arya
85. Sagari Ramdas, Food Sovereignty Alliance, Andhra Pradesh & Telengana
86. Sara Joseph, Writer, Keralam
87. Sarath Cheloor, National Coordinator, Friends of the Earth-India, Kerala
88. Sarojini N, Health and Geneder Activist, New Delhi
90. Shewli Kumar, Associate Professor, Centre for Women Centred Practice, School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Maharashtra
89. Sejal, Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan)
91. Shripad Dharmadhikary, Researcher, Pune
92. Soumya Dutta, Trustee, MAUSAM (Movement for Advancing Understanding of Sustainability and Mutuality), Delhi
93. Sudhir Katiyar, Labour Rights Activist, Udaipur, Rajasthan
94. Sudhir Pattnaik, Chairman, Samadrusti Research & Education Trust, Odisha
95. Suhasini Mulay, Film Maker, Actor, Mumbai
96. Sujata Gothoskar, Women’s Rights Advocate
97. Sunanda, Sahiyar (Stree Sanghathan)
98. Prof Swadhin Pattanaik, Ex Director, Institute of Mathematics, Bhubaneswar
99. Dr. Syeda Hameed, Muslim Women’s Forum, Delhi
100 Tarapada Pradhan, Social Activist, Odisha
101. Teena Gill, Concerned citizen
102. Thomas Franco, Social Activist, Tamil Nadu
103. Uma Chakravarti, Feminist Historian & Academic, New Dlehi
104. Vinod Koshy, Dynamic Action, Keralam
105. V Venugopal, Former Civil Servant
106. Dr Vandana Prasad, Public Health Paediatrician, Delhi
107. Vanita N Mukherjee
108. Vibhuti Patel
109. Vijayan MJ, Founding Member, FOEI & Convener, SASC, New Delhi
110. Dr Vikas Bajpai, Assistant Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi
111. Vineeta Bal, Pune
112. Dr Walter Fernandes, Director, North Eastern Social Research Centre
