TRIPURA, Nov 20: Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, founder of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and royal scion of Tripura on Wednesday issued a heartfelt appeal for peace in Manipur, condemning the ongoing violence that has engulfed the state. Highlighting the detrimental impact of the unrest on future generations, he urged all stakeholders to address the crisis locally rather than relying on outside intervention.
In a video message shared on social media platform ‘X,’ Debbarma referred to his earlier condemnation of the November 7 brutal killings of a 60-year-old woman and a child. He emphasized his consistent stand against violence, recalling his strong criticism of the rape and public humiliation of two Kuki women last year.
“While many people acknowledged that I was right, many of them have also asked why I didn’t condemn it earlier. I said it then, and I am saying it again: I condemned the murder of mother and the children on the 7th of November. Last year, two Kuki women were raped, and I was the first to condemn it. People are now saying that, as I am in an alliance with some political party, I have to keep quiet. No, I don’t need to keep quiet. My position doesn’t change because of an alliance. My position is consistent. Any sort of rape or murder can’t be justified. If you’re keeping quiet today, you are letting a monster out in your own society,” he said.
Debbarma expressed concern over the ongoing blame game among different groups in Manipur, cautioning that such attitudes would only exacerbate the situation.
“We are seeing a blame game: ‘You did it first, so I will do it again.’ This mindset only takes us backward. People ask, ‘Where is the Congress? Where is the BJP?’ The truth is, nobody from Delhi will come to save you. You are the first ones who must save yourselves,” he said.
He also warned that national attention could soon shift to other issues, such as election results in Maharashtra, leaving Manipur’s crisis unresolved. “If you think this problem will be solved by outsiders, you are mistaken. It has to be resolved by us, within the state,” he added.
Debbarma called out the lack of leadership among both ruling and opposition parties in Manipur. “Where is your vision? Violence will never solve problems—it only pushes the future of our next generation backward. People whose homes have been burned are suffering. The leaders must step up,” he said.
Urging unity among communities, he appealed for an end to conflicts based on religion, tribe, or community. “If we want to be heard, economically developed, and part of India’s growth story, it can only happen through collective leadership and unity. Peace and progress are all we want,” he concluded.
The ethnic violence in Manipur has intensified following the November 7 killings, adding to the existing tensions between different communities in the state. The unrest has displaced families, destroyed homes, and created an environment of fear and uncertainty, underscoring the urgent need for resolution and reconciliation.
