NEW DELHI, Feb. 17 -- Friends, brothers and sisters, fellow countrymen and women, weep for Manipur if you still have tears. This beautiful state of the Northeast, known as the land of gems, has gone through its worst patch of history. Two precious jewels from Manipur's crown - the beautiful Meitei community and the Zo-Kuki - have been pitted against each other in a tragedy that has gone on for more than two years.

We have witnessed with deep sorrow the loss of hundreds of lives and the wanton destruction of homes, churches and other properties. Who has the final count of these? Whoever gained, who lost? Who will now rebuild the trust and bring Manipur back to normalcy and peace? There are more questions than answers. There is much work o...