Imphal: Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Friday said dialogue and efforts to rebuild trust between communities are essential to resolving the differences in the state, adding that security measures alone can not ensure lasting peace.
Speaking on the sidelines of a programme, Konthoujam called on communities to engage in negotiations and work towards resolving their differences through mutual understanding.
“Peace is brought only through negotiations and not through the barrel of the gun. We must come to an understanding and engage in talks. We must gradually try to erase the trust deficit among us. Security alone cannot do it,” he said.
The minister said people across Manipur share common bonds and urged communities to come together to address their differences.
“All the residents of Manipur are brothers and sisters. We must come to the table and resolve our differences,” he added.
Konthoujam said the state government had made efforts to bring stakeholders together for discussions to address the prevailing differences.
“The government has tried, and we have sat together for talks as well,” he said.
The minister also highlighted operational challenges faced by security forces, saying improved communication facilities often allowed armed miscreants to flee villages before security personnel could reach them.