By Anupam Mishra: With the situation still tense in Manipur, a village in the state sent out a message of unity and harmony, with its residents waving and displaying white flags. H Wajang village, located near Pallel town, saw a community trying to bridge the divide between the two groups — Meitei and Kuki.

Pallel town is around 48km from the state capital Imphal.

The display of white flags in this village acted as a catalyst for resolving the differences and promoting understanding between the communities, which have been witnessing tensions after the recent ethnic clashes.

The violence between the Meiteis and Kukis have left over 60 dead in Manipur.

Spreading a message of unity in a senstive situation was not easy. Multiple community meetings were organised, with the intention to foster a sense of bonhomie and encourage open dialogue between the representatives of the two communities.

The local administration and community leaders were encouraged to provide support and guidance to sustain the momentum generated by the development.

Also Read: Manipur CM meets Amit Shah over clashes, urges people to not believe rumours on social media

These meetings paved the way for for reconciliation and peaceful cohabitation, by letting both communities voice their concerns. During these gatherings, both communities expressed their firm commitment for maintaining peace and harmony in the region.

The assurance given by each side proved instrumental in defusing tensions and restoring a sense of security among the residents of Pallel. Notably, no incidents of violence have been reported in the area so far.

The act of displaying the white flag holds significance because it comes at a time when Manipur is still tense after clashes, following a march on May 3. It is a powerful symbol of reassurance, conveying the message of peace and harmony to all members of the community.

It communicates a message of unity and solidarity, demonstrating that peace can triumph over discord.

Massive clashes had broken out in Manipur during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ on May 3. The event was organised to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

With white flags waved in H Wajang, one can hope for both the communities to overcome their differences and build a future based on understanding, respect, and cooperation.

Also Read: Manipur violence: State is burning, but what is the decades-old fuel behind the fire