Imphal: Women walk across a deserted road after police disperse protesters with tear gas; burning tyres lie on the road following the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) rally in Imphal on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo: IANS)
Shillong/Agartala, April 27 (IANS) The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), an apex body representing eight major student organisations of the Northeastern states, has questioned the inability of both state and Central authorities to effectively intervene and bring an end to the protracted ethnic crisis in Manipur, which has persisted for years.
The continued failure to restore peace and normalcy reflects a deeply concerning lapse in governance and responsibility, NESO Chairman Samuel B. Jyrwa said on Monday.
He stated that NESO unequivocally calls for immediate, fair, and transparent intervention to halt further escalation of violence.
Jyrwa said it is imperative that justice be delivered without delay and that those responsible for perpetrating such heinous acts be identified, held accountable, and prosecuted in accordance with the law, to restore public confidence and uphold the rule of law.
NESO also earnestly appealed to all communities and stakeholders to exercise restraint, uphold the values of humanity, and commit themselves to the path of peace.
In a statement, the influential student body said that repeated acts of violence against unarmed civilians represent a grave humanitarian concern, striking at the core of human dignity, security, and the fundamental right to live in peace.
The continuing unrest has inflicted immeasurable suffering on countless families and communities, leaving behind a trail of grief, fear, and uncertainty, it added.
The NESO Chairman further stated that the organisation extends heartfelt condolences to bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in this prolonged conflict and stands in unwavering solidarity with every victim affected by the tragedy.
He noted that the pain endured by the people is a collective pain shared by the entire Northeast region.
NESO emphasised that violence can never be a solution, asserting that only dialogue and mutual respect, aimed at addressing underlying issues and fostering long-term reconciliation, can pave the way for lasting peace.
Jyrwa highlighted that NESO, along with its constituent units, has previously undertaken peace missions to facilitate understanding and promote amicable solutions among all stakeholders.
The organisation reiterated its commitment to continuing such efforts in the larger interest of peace, harmony, and stability in the region.
Jyrwa added that the restoration of peace in Manipur is not only a regional necessity but a moral imperative, and that the time has come for all concerned authorities to act with urgency, sincerity, and accountability.
Meanwhile, Tipra Motha Party (TMP) supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma said in Agartala on Monday that a section of politicians is responsible for the ethnic violence in Manipur.
Debbarma, a former royal scion, stressed that members of the Meitei, Naga, and Kuki-Zo communities must come together to engage in dialogue to resolve their differences and ensure lasting peace and harmony.
He said that hostilities against each other will not solve the problem and that continued violence will only destroy the future of the state. He added that he had earlier visited Manipur and met representatives from various communities.
