Manipur’s women leaders champion peace as the key to progress

Despite ongoing conflict in Manipur, women leaders from the state’s three major communities have come together to discuss pathways to peace, reconciliation, and social stability.

At an event organised by North East Together (NET) and Tripura’s Chitra Singha Foundation, the discussion focused on the challenges of internally displaced people, the role of civil society, and strategies to restore peace in the crisis-hit state.

Among the speakers were Shangnaidar Tongan, a peace activist from the Naga community, Nonibala Narengbam of the Integrated Rural Development Service Organisation, Bisoya Loitongbam, a national healthcare projects professional, and Dr. C Lalbiakdiki, a doctor from Churachandpur.

The session was moderated by Biswanath Sinha, a senior social sector expert, who emphasised that peace is the foundation for progress in Manipur.

Recalling the Naga-Kuki conflict of the 1990s, Shangnaidar Tongan shared how her ancestral village was destroyed and how the conflict shaped inter-community perceptions. She acknowledged that while recent violence has deepened divisions, it has also increased awareness and understanding between different ethnic groups.

"This crisis has forced us to recognise each other's experiences in ways we hadn't before," she said. However, she noted that civil society organisations often face threats from armed groups, making direct peace efforts difficult. Instead, she advocated for an indirect approach, focusing on creating safe spaces for dialogue rather than direct interventions.

"In some cases, even mentioning 'peace' is risky. Instead of working on conflict, we work within conflict, creating opportunities for communities to listen to one another," she explained.

Nonibala Narengbam highlighted the challenges faced by women-led peace initiatives, noting that political polarisation has significantly reduced the space for dialogue. Despite this, women have been at the forefront of crisis response, relief efforts, and community mediation.

"Right now, discussing peace openly is a challenge. But through storytelling and shared narratives, we can begin to rebuild trust," she said, emphasizing that cultural ties, including intermarriages and shared festivals, could serve as bridges for reconciliation.

Dr. C Lalbiakdiki, a medical professional from Churachandpur, provided a stark picture of how healthcare has collapsed in conflict-affected areas, forcing patients to travel to Aizawl, Guwahati, or Delhi for even basic treatment.

Despite the violence, she found hope in the professional relationships that have endured among doctors, nurses, and frontline workers from different ethnic communities.

"There have been cases where medicines were smuggled in cars, hidden under carpets, just to ensure patients received treatment. Even in times of conflict, people find ways to help each other," she shared.

She emphasised that essential services, including healthcare, education, and law enforcement, must remain accessible across all communities, regardless of political tensions.

Bisoya Loitongbam, the national lead of the successful 10BedICU project, voiced concerns about how years of progress in Manipur have been reversed due to violence. She recalled that before the May 2023 conflict, Manipur was emerging as a vibrant, promising state, but the turmoil has set back its development.

She stressed that peacebuilding is especially difficult during peak violence, as social support for reconciliation remains low. However, she urged civil society groups to focus on humanitarian work and act as bridges between communities.

"Manipur is at a time when social trust is at an all-time low. The best role that civil society can play is to rebuild that trust through shared efforts," she said.

During the discussion, several key recommendations were made to help restore peace and normalcy in the state:

Strengthening civil society organisations – Neutral but proactive groups should foster reconciliation through community dialogue, economic rehabilitation, and cultural initiatives.

Addressing the crisis of internally displaced people – Government policies must allow displaced people to rebuild their lives without losing essential aid.

Restoring essential services – Access to healthcare, education, and law enforcement must be ensured across ethnic divisions.

Managing conflict narratives – Efforts should be made to counter misinformation and promote balanced reporting.

Encouraging women-led peace efforts – Women’s groups should be empowered to lead mediation and storytelling-based reconciliation initiatives.