On June 26, 2026, coinciding with the 51st commemoration of India’s Political Emergency, 112 prominent citizens and civil society representatives issued an urgent appeal demanding an immediate end to the escalating violence in Manipur. The appeal, titled “Step Back from the Edge: A Citizens’ Appeal for Peace, Justice and Sisterhood in Manipur,” was facilitated by the South Asian Solidarity Collective, Friends of the Earth India, and the Delhi Solidarity Group. The coalition is urgently calling for a credible peace process to address a crisis that has subjected the state to more than three years of severe militarization, displacement, fear, and social fragmentation.
A Widening Crisis and the Call to Reject Blame
The statement highlighted the dangerous trajectory of the crisis, noting that the devastating conflict that erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023 has now escalated to include tensions between the Naga and Kuki communities. Warning that the situation must not devolve into a “war of all against all,” the signatories deliberately avoided assigning blame to any specific group. Instead, they mourned the casualties across all communities, including the Kuki-Zo, Meitei, and Naga populations.
The appeal stressed that competitive victimhood has no place in the current crisis, declaring that no historical grievance, political claim, or religious identity can justify the killing of civilians, hostage-taking, or the targeting of women and places of worship.
Furthermore, the coalition demanded the immediate protection of civilians, safe humanitarian access, the release of detainees, and the dignified return of mortal remains.
Threats to Regional Peace and Glimmers of Hope
A major regional concern raised by the collective is the threat the ongoing violence poses to the broader North East’s fragile peace agreements. The appeal referenced the three decades of political negotiations and ceasefires facilitated by the Government of India, particularly the historic 1997 Indo-Naga peace process with the NSCN-IM, warning that the region could be plunged into deeper insecurity if communities lose faith in negotiated settlements.
However, the signatories also acknowledged recent acts of restraint that offer hope, praising Naga civil society’s successful intervention in securing the release of 14 Kuki detainees despite intense public anger.
The collective highlighted this as a crucial gesture for peace, demonstrating that community institutions can still prioritise responsibility over revenge.
A Diverse Coalition Demanding Accountability
The appeal is backed by a diverse and distinguished group of signatories, including filmmakers Anand Patwardhan and Suhasini Mulay, former civil servants Harsh Mander and V. Venugopal, former Planning Commission member Dr. Syeda Hameed and numerous journalists, economists, and environmentalists.
Notably, women’s rights organisations and feminist scholars constitute a significant portion of the coalition. Emphasizing this, political activist Annie Raja stated that women’s organisations across all communities must be empowered as the primary custodians of peace, as women have historically held communities together during times of crisis.
Dr. Syeda Hameed further underscored the national significance of the crisis, stating that Manipur is a direct test of the Indian republic’s constitutional morality and that the Union Government must act before all faith in peace collapses. Nicholas Chinnappan, President of Friends of the Earth India, added that the violence is deeply intertwined with issues of land, resources, and militarization, asserting that peace must be built on a foundation of justice.
Core Demands for Peace and Justice
In its concluding demands, the appeal called upon both the Union and State governments to protect lives without discrimination, recover illegal weapons, and prevent further armed mobilization.
The signatories demanded an impartial, time-bound peace process involving independent mediators and representatives from all affected communities, including the Kuki-Zo, Meitei, Naga, Pangal, Mising, and Hmar communities.
Additionally, they called for an independent, judicially monitored investigation into all major incidents of violence, sexual assault, arson, and custodial abuse that have occurred since May 2023, with scrutiny of the roles played by armed groups, state forces, and political actors. The statement concluded by asserting that democracy cannot survive if communities are forced to negotiate life and death through armed factions while constitutional institutions fail in their fundamental duties.
Courtesy: The AIDEM