Manipur FIRs tell a story: How armoury after armoury came on mob radar
Mobs lobbing grenades, breaking locks and fleeing with sophisticated weapons – an analysis of 46 FIRs filed during the two phases of Manipur violence paint a picture of how armouries were targeted in the state, helping civilians get their hands on an estimated 4,000 weapons.
The FIRs, accessed by The Indian Express from police station records from across the state, pertain to loot or attempted loot of arms from security personnel in Manipur since May 3. Of these, 20 mention that security personnel resorted to the use of teargas or firing to ward off the mobs. In one instance, the same location was looted twice, more than three weeks apart.
The FIRs have been filed on suo motu basis or by security personnel in police stations in Imphal East and West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching and Churachandpur districts. Most pertain to armories located in the state’s valley areas, while nine pertain to incidents in the hill district of Churachandpur.
The Manipur question should bother the govt; state needs to be seen, heard
The single-judge verdict which sparked off the protests that led to violence in Manipur is a reminder how big doors often swing on little hinges.
There have been court verdicts in the past that have unleashed political maelstroms in the country. The Allahabad High Court’s judgment on June 12, 1975, which disqualified the then prime minister Indira Gandhi from Parliament for electoral malpractices and led her to impose the 19-month Emergency, culminated in her defeat in 1977, bringing to power a united opposition Janata government.
In April 1985 came the initially innocuous Shah Bano verdict. The court gave relief of a paltry sum of Rs 25 a month to a 62-year-old Muslim woman, divorced after 45 years of marriage by her husband by pronouncing talaq. The protests among the Muslim community led then PM Rajiv Gandhi to go in for a law to undo the judgment, and then, to placate the Hindu community irate over this, to open the locks enabling worship at the disputed Babri Masjid site.
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Sunday urged the people of ethnic strife affected Manipur to embrace peace for the sake of humanity.
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"My heart aches deeply upon hearing the heart-wrenching stories from Manipur. Human lives should never endure the agonies of hatred's cruel experiments. Yet, in the face of silence from those in power, let us find solace in knowing that INDIA will mend wounds and rekindle the flame of humanity," Banerjee tweeted.
"I earnestly plead to Manipur's brave brothers and sisters to embrace peace for the sake of humanity. We stand beside you, offering unwavering support and compassion," she said. (PTI)
It is often said that there are many Indias. Going by events in the news last week, you could see at least two countries, very different, and far away, from one another.
One in which Manipur continues to be a place of grim violence and pain, heartwrenching displacement and suffering, urgent in its tug on the nation’s attention and appeal to its empathies.
The 21-member multi-party delegation of MPs of the Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance, in Manipur for a two-day visit, brought sobering stories of “sharp and stark divisions” on the ground, in the plains that have been emptied of Kukis and in the hills the Meiteis can no longer go to, and of festering despondency and anger in the relief camps. Women and children are the worst affected by a crisis that has gone on now for three months, and there is waning confidence in the fairness and firmness of the Biren Singh government in dealing with it. This is one India, Manipur has become its centre. (Read More)
The team of the Opposition bloc INDIA, which arrived in Manipur on a two-day visit to take first-hand account of the situation in the state, will meet Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Sunday, before returning to Delhi.
On Saturday, the 21-member team visited the riot-hit town of Churachandpur, where they met Kuki leaders and victims in relief camps. They flew down to Churachandpur in helicopters, to avoid the risk of travel by road. Later, in Imphal, they visited relief camps for victims from the Meitei community. (Read More)
"We are disheartened by what happened to the people there. In the meeting with the Governor, we suggested that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, an all-India all-party delegation come here. This is what we have been suggesting since the first day. But the PM is missing. His ministers are giving statements while sitting in Delhi. They should visit Manipur to see the ground reality there..." said Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi after returning from Manipur.
'Whatever we have learned and heard is beyond our expectations...can't explain the agony faced by those people in words...such a situation could have been avoided if govt had acted initially, govt was mute spectator and did not act properly...we have met the governor and requested her to speak to the Govt to bring in an all party delegation & call the leaders of these communities & make them sit together...', said NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP PP Mohammed Faizal after returning from Manipur.
After returning from Manipur, CPI(M) MP AA Rahim said, "All the systems are paralysed there. The double engine has completely paralysed and failed there. There is no relief in relief camps...I would like to as both Union Government and State Government to restore peace...PM can't visit there because of hatred politics...This is the aftermath of political polarisation led by BJP and RSS in Manipur..."
After returning from Manipur, Revolutionary Socialist Party MP NK Premchandran says, 'The Manipur situation is still worsening. People in the relief camps are not being looked after properly...The urgent need is to have all facilities at the relief camps. We have demanded to the Governor that an all-party meeting be sent to Manipur immediately so as to see the situation and give recommendations to the Govt of India...If you (the Centre) don't intervene, the situation will worsen and it will affect the northern states as well as the security of the nation...'
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday hit out at the BJP for calling the visit of members of the opposition bloc INDIA to Manipur as a "show-off", and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has neither visited the strife-torn state nor spoken about it in Parliament.
''Prime Minister ji...Manipur is part of India and its citizens are Indian citizens...listen to them. That is why the INDIA alliance delegation visited the state. How can understanding the grief of citizens and consoling them be called a show-off?" he asked.
The prime minister has not gone to Manipur and has not spoken about the issue yet in Parliament, the Rajya Sabha member said. ''The opposition alliance leaders spoke to the affected citizens and understood their grievances, if this is called a show-off, then we haven't seen a cruel government and politics than this,'' Raut alleged. (PTI)
It is often said that there are many Indias. Going by events in the news last week, you could see at least two countries, very different, and far away, from one another.
One in which Manipur continues to be a place of grim violence and pain, heartwrenching displacement and suffering, urgent in its tug on the nation’s attention and appeal to its empathies.
The 21-member multi-party delegation of MPs of the Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance, in Manipur for a two-day visit, brought sobering stories of “sharp and stark divisions” on the ground, in the plains that have been emptied of Kukis and in the hills the Meiteis can no longer go to, and of festering despondency and anger in the relief camps. Women and children are the worst affected by a crisis that has gone on now for three months, and there is waning confidence in the fairness and firmness of the Biren Singh government in dealing with it. This is one India, Manipur has become its centre. (Read More)
Even yesterday when we were in Vishnupur there was firing and you could see women sitting on dharna in different parts of the state. They are worried and the camps are in an appalling state. There is no peace, violence is continuing in many parts of the state and the people have completely lost faith in the government, said DMK leader Kanimozhi after returning from Manipur from a 2-day visit.
The MPs belonging to the opposition bloc INDIA on Sunday returned to Delhi from Manipur after submitting a memorandum to Governor Anusuiya Uikey.
The delegation was on a two-day visit to the conflict-ridden state. They visited several relief camps in Imphal, Moirang in Bishnupur district and Churachandpur and met scores of victims of ethnic clashes from both the warring communities.
In their memorandum, they demanded urgent rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected people to bring peace and harmony to Manipur and also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "silence", showing "brazen indifference" to the ongoing situation in the northeastern state.
? In a memorandum submitted to Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey, opposition bloc INDIA demanded urgent rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected people to bring peace and harmony to Manipur.
? Stating that the government machinery has completely failed to control the Manipur ethnic conflict, they slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "silence", showing "brazen indifference" to the ongoing situation in the northeastern state.
? The continued internet ban for the last three months is aiding the unsubstantiated rumours, which is adding to the existing mistrust among the communities, the memorandum said.
? "You are also requested to apprise the Union government of the complete breakdown of law and order in Manipur for the last 89 days so as to enable them to intervene in the precarious situation in Manipur to restore peace and normalcy," it said.
? The document also stressed that the "failure of both the central and state governments" to protect the lives and properties of the people of the two communities is apparent from the figures of more than 140 deaths (over 160 deaths as per official records), over 500 injuries, burning of more than 5,000 houses and internal displacement of over 60,000 people. (PTI)
21 MPs of the Opposition alliance INDIA met Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey today in Imphal, on the second day of their 2-day visit to the state.
They submitted a memorandum, requesting her to restore peace and normalcy in the state, which has been seeing ethnic violence since the beginning of May.
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, after the delegation of 21 Opposition MPs met Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey today, said, "The governor herself expressed her sorrow. We placed all the things that we observed in the last two days before her and she expressed her support. She also advised that we all speaking to all the leaders, be it Kuki or Meitei, of all communities and find a path to a solution. She also advised that an all party delegarion should come to Manipur and speak to leaders of all communities because the atmosphere of mistrust that has been created among the people has to be addressed by everyone together. "
Ahead of the Opposition-alliance INDIA's MPs visit to the Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that they would demand restoration of normalcy in the state.
"The key point is that Manipur has been overlooked. As it was overlooked by the State Govt & Central Govt, the situation is worsening. Peace should be restored at the earliest, it is essential to maintain harmony and justice. We will demand that the Governor make all efforts to restore normalcy. It is the failure of the Government..." he told reporters in Imphal.
A 21-member multi-party delegation of MPs of the Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance has reached the Raj Bhavan in Imphal and will meet Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey today to share their experience. “We have come to Manipur to understand the expectations of the people and we will reflect that in Parliament,” Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi told reporters.
A team comprising Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and others, went to visit a relief camp at Don Bosco School in Churachandpur today.
Speaking to the media, Gogoi said, "We have visited a total of 4 relief camps, 2 in Churachandpur, 1 in Imphal and 1 in Moirang. Everyone wants peace and everyone wants to build their lives. We will meet with our second team and share our experiences and tomorrow we will be meeting the Governor. We have come to Manipur to understand the expectations of the people and we will reflect that in Parliament"
"We feel that Parliament should have a discussion on this and I think too much delay has happened. The Govt has to give a roadmap and we all want to listen to the government's plan and give our suggestions," he said.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday called for peace in Manipur, saying the incidents the state witnessed since the outbreak of violence on May 3 are "painful".
"I have been pained by whatever inhumane incidents have happened in the recent past. We are all hurt by them. The whole society, states and the entire country should tread the path of peace. We should all make efforts for the restoration of peace," Birla said.
"These incidents are very sad and pain us all," he said when asked about the situation in Manipur. "Our behaviour should not hurt anybody. This should be our effort. As a society, it is our moral duty." Birla said the country and all the states, as well as all the social groups must walk the path of peace.
"All of us should make efforts for the restoration of peace" he said. "Hence, we call for peace from the humanity point of view." The northeastern state of Manipur has been engulfed in ethnic violence since May 3 which has claimed more than 160 lives so far. (PTI)
The school bell rings after a short break and students in Class 11-A pull out their bulky physics textbook from their bags. Christina, sitting on the first bench, her hair parted into two neat French braids, has her notebook open too, ready to take notes.
Christina, 16, is among 31 students from Manipur who earlier this week joined the Government Coeducational Senior Secondary School in Delhi’s R K Puram Sector 5. As violence raged across Manipur, pitting the Meiteis in the Valley against the Kuki hill tribes and displacing hundreds of families, many sent their children to the safety of other states to ensure their schooling wasn’t disrupted. As they made the long journey out of their homes, to big cities that never slept, they moved in with older siblings or aunts and uncles.
According to Delhi’s Education Department, 138 children from Manipur have been admitted to schools in the Capital since the May 3 violence, and 290 applications are still being processed. (Read More)
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), an umbrella group of tribals in Manipur, on Saturday wrote a letter to opposition alliance INDIA, seeking its support for their demand of a separate administration and implementation of President's rule in the violence-hit state.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.
"We fervently appeal to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to take up our cause and apprise the nation about our plight.
"We implore you to help us survive this onslaught by supporting our demand for a separate administration from Manipur and to urge the central government to introduce President rule immediately in Manipur to end the violence," the ITLF said in its two-page letter to the opposition parties. (PTI)
A video clip of sexual assault on two women by a mob in Manipur on May 4 went viral on social media platforms earlier this month resulting in a massive uproar across the country on crimes allegedly being committed in the northeastern state.
Meeting the mother of one of the victims today in Manipur, DMK leader Kanimozhi said, " “They want justice, what will they want? It is so sad to see a woman whose daughter was harassed and raped and she lost her husband and son on the same day."
A massive rally was taken out in Imphal on Saturday to protest against the demand for a 'separate administration' for areas inhabited by the Kuki community. Tens of thousands of demonstrators from across five valley districts of the state participated in the rally, demanding the territorial integrity of the northeastern state where race riots began in early May.
The protest march, organised by Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), began at Thangmeiband in Imphal West district and culminated at Hapta Kangjeibunand in Imphal East, covering a distance of 5 km.
Holding aloft placards, demonstrators raised slogans against those who demanded separate administration, and against "illegal immigrants from Myanmar".
Kukis, who have demanded a separate administration, have however not made clear the definition of a separate administration as also the areas for which they are claiming such a dispensation.
The committee that organised the rally was also against the ongoing talks, reportedly being held in Delhi, between a home ministry team and former Kuki militants. (PTI)
A team comprising Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and others, went to visit a relief camp at Don Bosco School in Churachandpur today.
Speaking to the media, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, said "The Central government is saying that peace has been restored in Manipur, so why are people staying in relief camps? Why are they unable to go back to their homes? We would like to accompany PM Modi if he decides to visit Manipur with an all-party delegation."
? Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Saturday said she was working to end the hatred and distrust that have strained the relationship between Metei and Kuki communities.
? Speaking to reporters after visiting a relief camp in Churachandpur district, Uikey said, "I have come here for the second time, to share the grief of my brothers and sisters. It is nearly three months that these people are away from their homes. A lot of people lost their homes to arson, and many lost most of their belongings. They don't have anything left. I came here to see that at least these people do not face any problems at the camp."
? "I have directed the government that the basic amenities must be ensured -- from clothes to mosquito repellents. I also got to know that there is a problem of medicines here. They are not getting a lot of things because trucks are not reaching here. Still, necessary arrangements are being made and help is also being extended by Mizoram," she added.
? "The way hatred and distrust have grown between the two communities -- Meteis and Kukis, I am putting in efforts to end that. I have met organisations representing the two communities and representatives of different political parties, and sought their cooperation in establishing peace. We should rise above politics and ensure peace and normalcy in Manipur," Uikey said. (PTI)
A team of the opposition bloc INDIA on Saturday visited the riot-hit town of Churachandpur in Manipur where they met Kuki leaders and members of the civil society besides ethnic strife victims in the relief camps where they were lodged.
A team led by the Congress leader reached Churachandpur to visit the relief camp set up at the Boys Hostel of Churachandpur College.
Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, "The people of Manipur are extremely scared. They have completely lost faith in the government. They know that the government will not help us."
A team of the opposition bloc INDIA on Saturday visited the riot-hit town of Churachandpur in Manipur where they met Kuki leaders and members of the civil society besides ethnic strife victims in the relief camps where they were lodged.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told reporters after visiting a relief camp, "They are talking of investigation by CBI (into the crimes committed)... I would like to ask were they (central government) sleeping till now?" TMC leader Sushmita Dev said the team will speak with representatives of both the communities.
"Everyone's voice must be heard. We will be talking to both Kukis and Meiteis," she said. (PTI)
? Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Saturday said that the ethnic conflict in Manipur has damaged not only India’s image but that of the state and the northeast region too. “We have come here to meet victims of ethnic clashes and understand the problem. We want the end of violence and the restoration of peace at the earliest…the entire world is watching what is going on in Manipur,” he said.
? The team of opposition MPs would visit several relief camps to meet victims of the ethnic clashes during their two-day visit beginning Saturday.
? One team, comprising Chowdhury, the Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, and others, departed for Churachandpur first to visit the relief camp set up at the Boys Hostel of Churachandpur College.
? Another team, comprising Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and others, went to visit a relief camp at Don Bosco School in Churachandpur, a source in the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) said. (PTI)
A 21-member multi-party delegation of MPs of the Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance reached Imphal Saturday for a two-day visit to the violence-hit areas of Manipur and the relief camps.
Commenting on the same, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, "They are on a political tourism. Instead of analysing the situation there (Manipur), they are busy with a photo session. They should have gone earlier, when Union Minister Amit Shah had visited the state for 3 days."
Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal on Saturday said she has been to see Manipur's BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte who is undergoing medical treatment here and has even asked party chief J P Nadda to visit the lawmaker.
In her letter on Saturday, a copy of which she shared on Twitter, the DCW chief also urged the BJP chief to extend financial assistance to Valte from the "party's funds." Manipur government spokesperson and Information and Public Relations Minister Sapam Rajan had on Thursday dismissed media reports that claimed that the state government had not taken medical care of Valte after he was injured in an attack in the initial days of the ongoing ethnic strife that broke out in May.
Maliwal also shared video clips from her visit, in which she can be seen interacting with a bedridden Valte, who was attacked in the ethnic clashes in Manipur. (PTI)
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday alleged that the visit of members of Opposition alliance INDIA to Manipur was a "mere show-off," news agency PTI reported.
The senior BJP leader alleged that when Manipur used to burn under previous governments, those visiting the northeastern state now did not utter a single word in the Parliament. He arrived in Kolkata on Saturday morning,
"When Manipur used to remain shut for months, they had not spoken a word," he was quoted as saying by PTI. Thakur said that when the delegation returns from Manipur, the members of the team "will not allow Parliament to function".
Talking about the visit of the 21-member multi-party delegation of MPs of the INDIA alliance to Manipur, Congress leader Harish Rawat has said, "It is a gesture from people of the country towards the people of Manipur that we will not allow any injustice to happen."
The delegation will include Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and his party colleagues Gogoi, Kodikunnil Suresh and Phulo Devi Netam besides TMC’s Sushmita Dev, JMM’s Mahua Maji, DMK’s Kanimozhi, NCP’s Mohammad Faizal, Jayant Chaudhary of RLD, Manoj Kumar Jha of RJD, N K Premachandran of RSP and T Thirumavalavan of the VCK.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said on Saturday that the ethnic conflict in Manipur was sullying India's image and all parties must try and find a peaceful solution to end it, news agency PTI reported.
A delegation of 21 MPs from the opposition bloc INDIA reached Imphal to assess the ground situation in ethnic strife-torn Manipur. "We have come here to meet victims of ethnic clashes and understand the problem. We want the end of violence and the restoration of peace at the earliest...the entire world is watching what is going on in Manipur," Chowdhury told PTI .
He also said, "The ethnic clashes have damaged the image of Manipur, the northeast region and India as a whole. We all have to try for a peaceful solution. We are here not to do any politics." After their arrival here, the delegation went to Churachandpur, where fresh violence has taken place, to meet victims from the Kuki community in the relief camps there.
"From Imphal, they took a chopper to Churachandpur due to security issues. As only one helicopter is available, the members of the delegation were divided into two teams, and the chopper would make two trips to ferry them," a security official said. (PTI)
Ahead of the much-awaited discussion in the Lok Sabha on a no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition INDIA alliance against the Government, a 21-member multi-party delegation of MPs of the Opposition bloc reached Imphal Saturday to visit the violence-hit regions of Manipur and the relief camps.
Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey met people staying in a relief camp in Churachandpur. "The government will provide compensation to people who have lost members of their family and suffered loss of property," she said.
Further, the Governor said, "I will do everything possible for peace and the future of the people of Manipur."
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday took over the investigation into the Manipur viral video case, in which two Kuki women were allegedly sexually assaulted and paraded naked by a mob. The investigation agency filed an FIR in the case late on Friday night.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Supreme Court that the probe was being handed over to the CBI. The Centre had also requested the apex court to allow the trial to be moved out of the state to Assam. Read more
On Sunday morning, the 21-member multi-party delegation of MPs of the Opposition INDIA alliance will meet Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhawan to discuss the ongoing situation in the state and possible measures to bring peace, as per an official, news agency PTI reported.
The team is scheduled to return to the national capital on Sunday afternoon.
Manipur has been witnessing ethnic clashes since early May between the majority Meitei community, concentrated in the Imphal valley, and the Kukis, occupying the hills.
After reaching Imphal for a two-day visit to the violence-hit areas of Manipur and the relief camps, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that ethnic clashes in the state have damaged India's image.
"We are not here to do politics, we all have to try for a peaceful solution to end the conflict in Manipur," he added.
The delegation of Opposition MPs is scheduled to visit several relief camps to meet victims of the ethnic clashes that broke in Manipur on May 3. The MPs reached Imphal by a commercial flight from Delhi, news agency PTI reported.
After their arrival, the delegation will go to Churachandpur, where fresh violence has taken place, to meet victims from the Kuki community in the relief camps there.
"From Imphal, they will go by a chopper to Churachandpur due to security issues. As only one helicopter is available, the members of the delegation would be divided into two teams, and the chopper will make two trips to ferry them," a security official told PTI.
One team, comprising Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and others, would reach Churachandpur first and visit a relief camp set up at the Boys' Hostel of Churachandpur College, PTI reported.
Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey met people staying in a relief camp in Churachandpur. "The government will provide compensation to people who have lost members of their family and suffered loss of property," she said.
Further, the Governor said "I will do everything possible for peace and the future of the people of Manipur."
DMK MP Kanimozhi who is part of a delegation of Opposition MPs visiting Manipur said that the delegation will let the people of Manipur know that "we are fighting for them".
A 21-member multi-party delegation of MPs of the Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance reached Imphal Saturday for a two-day visit to the violence-hit areas of Manipur and the relief camps.
The delegation will include Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and his party colleagues Gogoi, Kodikunnil Suresh and Phulo Devi Netam besides TMC’s Sushmita Dev, JMM’s Mahua Maji, DMK’s Kanimozhi, NCP’s Mohammad Faizal, Jayant Chaudhary of RLD, Manoj Kumar Jha of RJD, N K Premachandran of RSP and T Thirumavalavan of the VCK.
The other members of the delegation are JD(U) chief Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh and his party colleague Aneel Prasad Hegde, CPI’s Sandosh Kumar, CPI(M)’s A A Rahim, Samajwadi Party’s Javed Ali Khan, IUML’s E T Mohammed Basheer, AAP’s Sushil Gupta, Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena-Uddhav Thackeray), D Ravikumar (DMK).
Calling the visit "a peace mission," MP ET Muhammed Basheer ahead of the visit said, "It is a peace mission. We will talk to the people and request them to maintain normalcy."