TODAY -
AMUCO calls for positive peace
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 11 2010: Cease-fire between two armed sections cannot be called a real peace when an agenda that has all the potential to create divisions and conflicts amongst the common people is pursued vigorously.

NSCN (IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and Naga civil societies seem more interested in negative peace, observed the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO).

In a press statement signed by its president KT Rahaman, the AMUCO made a special request to the Naga Hoho to pacify Naga people.

The AMUCO called upon Naga Hoho and others to fight structural justice collectively so as to bring real peace based on social justice in the entire North East region.

"We cannot write history without truth", it asserted while pointing out that the understanding that peace has been achieved when armed forces of a Government and an insurgent group declare cease-fire is an outdated concept in the contemporary conflict resolution theory.

The prolonged economic blockade being imposed by student bodies ANSAM and ATSUM followed by bandhs against the ban on NSCN (IM) General Secretary Muivah's entry to Manipur have challenged the right to life of the entire population of Manipur.

Noting that stocks of several essential commodities including life saving drugs, fuel oils etc have either depleted severely or ran out completely, the AMUCO decried that it has been long years since Naga civil societies started playing their whims and fancy on NH 39 and NH 53 .

The impact of the ongoing economic blockade is felt more acutely by the common people than the Government of Manipur and it is slowly taking a communal tinge.

Nonetheless, people living in the valley have been bearing with all these miseries patiently.

During the mass protest movement of June 18, the highest offices like the State Assembly, MLA quarters and offices of political parties were attacked and set ablaze but there was not a single instance of attacking Naga villages or colonies.

The apparent counter measure of blocking transportation of goods to Tamenglong launched by some worried Manipuris settled at the periphery or beyond the boundary of Manipur apparently in reaction to the ongoing economic blockade intended to choke Manipur valley should not be followed as a policy.

One need to realise that Manipur is hurt when Tamenglong suffers.

"We must understand that we are fighting amongst ourselves.

The monkey distributing bread would be surely enjoying the situation", AMUCO said.

It further asked the State Government not to create a situation where people of Manipur may confront amongst themselves on communal lines by breeding artificial famine.

"Let any party impose economic blockades as much and as long they like.

But the Government must do what it is bound to do" .

"Protect territorial integrity and at the same time make sure by one means or another that essential commodities are available at normal rates and what is available should be shared between the hills and valley" .

"If such arrangement is effected, the anguish of Jiri Meira Paibis can be certainly be relieved", AMUCO opined. It further asserted that the Government of India should be held responsible for the death of one Meira Paibi from Jiri today in the course of the continuing protest movements and the two students killed on May 6 .

The AMUCO also warned the SPF Government that a second June 18 movement will follow unfailingly in case the State Government takes any decision that is detrimental to the integrity of Manipur at the insistence of Naga peace talk interlocutor RS Pandey and Home Secretary GK Pillai who arrived at Imphal today.





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