Social activist Malem Thongam has formally appealed to Chief Minister Y Khemchand, urging the government to publicly disclose actions taken within 15 days to guarantee the free and safe movement of the Meitei community across all districts of Manipur. In his letter, Thongam, a resident of Imphal East, highlighted the ongoing inter-community conflict that has persisted for almost three years, which he has actively addressed through various democratic demonstrations and awareness initiatives, both regionally and nationally. Despite his efforts and similar appeals from other concerned citizens, the situation in Manipur remains volatile, characterized by recurrent violence and instability, even following the imposition of President’s Rule and the establishment of a newly elected government.
To foster peace and unity and promote the “Idea of Manipur,” Thongam undertook a 35-day peace awareness cycling expedition from March 12 to April 15, aiming to travel through all 16 districts to advocate for harmony and coexistence. However, he reported being obstructed by authorities after reaching Chandel district, effectively halting his peace initiative. Thongam has demanded clarification from the State Government regarding the restrictions placed on his campaign and called for transparency about measures taken to support the community’s safe travel.
Furthermore, he insists that the government take swift action, within the same 15-day timeframe, to facilitate the surrender of high-powered weapons that remain under the control of various organizations. Expressing hope for a prompt and effective response from the government, Thongam stressed the importance of restoring public safety and trust, advocating for measures that will enable all communities to move freely and peacefully within the state.
