A broad coalition of more than 100 citizens, academics, human rights advocates, faith leaders, women's rights activists, trade unionists and civil society organisations has issued a public appeal calling for urgent peace, justice and constitutional intervention in Manipur as violence enters what the statement describes as a "more dangerous phase."
Released to mark the 51st anniversary of India's Emergency, the document—Step Back from the Edge: A Citizens' Appeal for Peace, Justice and Sisterhood in Manipur—warns that the conflict has expanded beyond the original Meitei–Kuki-Zo confrontation to include rising tensions involving Naga communities, raising fears of wider ethnic fragmentation.
The statement notes that Manipur has endured more than three years of violence, displacement, militarisation and social division since the outbreak of ethnic conflict in May 2023. It expresses concern over reports of abductions, killings, retaliatory mobilisation, shutdowns, forced displacement and deepening mistrust across both hill and valley regions.
The signatories mourn victims from all communities—including Kuki-Zo, Meitei, Naga and smaller ethnic groups—and acknowledge the suffering experienced by each, while stressing that women, children, workers and elderly people have borne a disproportionate burden of the conflict.
The appeal strongly condemns the reported abduction and killing of civilians by armed groups, stating that civilians must never be used as bargaining instruments. It calls for the unconditional release of all hostages and detainees and emphasises their right to safety, dignity and medical care.
At the same time, the statement acknowledges recent efforts that reportedly secured the release of 14 Kuki detainees from Naga custody, describing the intervention as an important gesture of restraint that helped prevent further bloodshed.
Addressing Kuki-Zo, Meitei, Naga and other community organisations, the appeal urges leaders not to allow Manipur to descend into "a war of all against all." It argues that communities are increasingly being encouraged to view one another as enemies while larger issues—including governance failures, militarisation, land rights, resource disputes, illegal arms, drug trafficking and political manipulation—remain unresolved.
The document warns against narratives that pit tribal communities against each other or deepen religious divisions, arguing that such developments risk undermining constitutional protections and democratic institutions.
Highlighting the importance of longstanding peace initiatives in Northeast India, including the Indo-Naga peace process, the statement argues that continued violence risks eroding public confidence in negotiated settlements. It urges the Government of India to preserve trust in dialogue by acting with transparency, impartiality and constitutional responsibility.
Major Demands
The signatories call for:
- An immediate end to attacks on civilians by all armed actors.
- Disclosure of the whereabouts of missing persons.
- Release of all civilian hostages and detainees.
- Recovery of looted and illegal weapons.
- Protection of places of worship.
- Safe humanitarian access across affected areas.
- A credible, inclusive and time-bound peace process involving all affected communities.
- A judicially monitored investigation into major incidents of violence since May 2023.
- Rehabilitation, compensation and psychosocial support for victims without discrimination.
The appeal also urges churches, temples, mosques, educational institutions, women's organisations, journalists, artists and civil society groups to promote dialogue, truth-telling and humanitarian solidarity. It asks media organisations and social media users to avoid circulating unverified or inflammatory content that could intensify violence.
Concluding with a call for restraint, the statement declares that every community's life and dignity matter equally. It argues that peace should not come at the cost of justice, nor justice become synonymous with revenge, and urges all communities to "step back from the edge" and reject mutual destruction.
Prominent Signatories
Among the prominent citizens endorsing the appeal are economist Amit Bhaduri; filmmaker Anand Patwardhan; author and academic Apoorvanand; activist Harsh Mander; poet K. Sachidanandan; scholar Nandini Sundar; journalist Pamela Philipose; linguist and author Peggy Mohan; peace scholar Radha Kumar; feminist historian Uma Chakravarti; actor and filmmaker Suhasini Mulay; Dalit women's rights leader Ruth Manorama; writer Sara Joseph; journalist John Dayal; and environmental activist Prafulla Samanthara, along with more than 90 other academics, researchers, social activists, former civil servants and civil society leaders from across India.
The appeal was facilitated by the South Asian Solidarity Collective, Friends of the Earth (India) and the Delhi Solidarity Group. It carries the signatures of 112 citizens from diverse professional and social backgrounds, reflecting a broad-based call for peace, justice, accountability and reconciliation in Manipur.
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