Imphal : As a mark of protest against the violence going on in Manipur, we the people of Manipur living in Hyderabad have come together under the aegis of Hyderabad Manipuri Society to organise a sit-in protest on Sunday at Dharna Chowk Marg, Lower Tank Bund, Kavadiguda, Hyderabad, Telangana.

In a press statement released to the media, they said ‘We believe the prolonging of violence will not only lead to more casualties and damage but an elimination of the indigenous population from the surface of the earth. In the meantime, the peace committee instituted by the central government has been boycotted by both the Kukis and the Meiteis hindering the peace process.

As a civil society group and as Manipuris staying away from home, it has become important for us to be vocal about our current situation to garner the attention and support of the entire world to bring about a resolution to this conflict.

We consider the current situation as a National Emergency which if not tackled in time will lead to a much worse humanitarian catastrophe. We request the media fraternity to help amplify our message for peace and cry for help in seeking a peaceful reconciliation to this crisis.

It further stated that the situation has been worse after the imposition of the blockade on National Highway number 2 hindering the transportation of essential supplies like food, medicine, and other items.

While the state and the central forces have not been able to curb the violence, civilians are increasingly becoming restless and outraged by the violence.

It will be pertinent to note that the damage has been done on both sides. If over 200 churches were burned down, a 1000- year old Shiva temple was razed to the ground, 100s of indigenous religious places have been desecrated and destroyed. But giving a communal angle to this situation will only create more disharmony and mistrust among the general masses, stated the release.