Dalai Lama’s healing touch to ‘rebels’ of NE: ‘Shun violence, adopt non-violent means’

The Dalai Lama on Wednesday in Imphal, Manipur, decided to address the issue of home-grown militancy in the region.

Imphal, Oct 19: The Northeast region of India, one of the country's most pristine and beautiful parts, has for long grappling with violence as indigenous rebel groups are fighting for their own respective "homelands".

Manipur in the region is no exception, which is stated to host at least forty various militant groups fighting their own "battles" against the elected government.

Amid all these turmoil and insecurity, when Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama visited Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, residents hoped for a "healing touch" from the man whose message of peace and love has touched millions across the world.

On the second day of his three-day long trip to Manipur, the Dalai Lama on Wednesday decided to address the issue of home-grown militancy in Manipur which is mostly seen by the mainstream India as a law and order problem, but for the natives, even those who detest violence, maintain that the proliferation of insurgency is the result of long neglect and lack of empathy on the part of Delhi towards the people of the region.

The Noble Peace laureate urged militants in the Northeast to shun the "method of violence" and use non-violent means to get their grievances addressed at a public reception in Imphal.

While answering the question on insurgency problem in the region, the Dalai Lama said, "Every country has problems. Use of violent means is totally wrong. India is a union. Small kingdoms are now (things of) the past. Narrow mindedness should be done away with and broadmindedness should step in."

The Dalai Lama's speech and interaction with reporters centred on world peace and love. Several in the audience also asked him questions, which he gladly answered.

"India is a great nation. It can pay a vital role in ushering in world peace. India, where various traditions and religions exist in harmony, is a perfect example of how harmony can prevail," he said.

While speaking about insurgency in the region, the Dalai Lama also spoke on the spread of "terrorism" across the globe and why religion has nothing to do with violence.

There are no Muslim or Christian terrorists because terrorists are no more religious once they embrace terror, he said.

"People cease to be Muslim, Christian or any group the moment they became terrorists."

The Tibetan spiritual leader reached Imphal on Tuesday on the invitation of Manipur Speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh.

OneIndia News