Tributes paid to Jun 18 martyrs: Unity stressed on Unity Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 18 2012: Unity among all the indigenous people and cooperation amongst all the peoples of the North East was the mantra chanted by many at the 11th Unity Day observed today at THAU Ground under the aegis of the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) .

AMUCO has been observing Unity Day every year on June 18 in commemoration of the historic civil movement of June 2001 and in honour of the 18 martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of Manipur's integrity.

Before people coming from different corners of Manipur gathered at THAU ground for the Unity Day observance, they went to Kekrupat memorial site together with AMUCO leaders and paid their respects and tributes to the 18 martyred sons and daughters of the soil.

Giving the key-note address of the public gathering, AMUCO secretary general NC Modhuchandra observed that emotional binding of fraternity between hills and plain people has not been fully restored.

Unity day observation underway

This gap in the age-old relationship between the indigenous people of Manipur is a creation of the Government of India through its divide and rule policy which it learnt from their British colonial masters.

Given such a sinister design and policy of New Delhi, Unity Day assumes greater significance and relevance, Modhuchandra stated.

AMUCO has been observing Unity Day every year in memory of the 18 martyrs with a commitment to bring unity among the people of both the hills and plain, and ultimately articulate common political interest.

Many speakers who addressed the mammoth gathering agreed that the Manipuris stood and fought together against all external aggression in different phases of history and successfully maintained the sanctity of its territorial boundary for more than 200 years.

The exploited mass of Manipur should never fall or give themselves to the deceptive ploys of Government of India, they cautioned.

It must be understood by all the civil and political leaders of the North East region including the Naga leaders that there is no place for exploited mass of the region in the politics of the common oppressor.

It is not unnatural when differences crop up among different groups of people but differences cannot be cul-de-sac.

There is always room for negotiation and reconciliation on the path of forging unity among the indigenous people based on mutual trust and common aspirations, the speakers asserted.

AMUCO president KT Rehman stated that the historic civil movement of June, 2001 and the supreme sacrifices made by the 18 martyrs remain a stark reminder to all the indigenous people that there is no future if the ethnic groups are determined to go separate ways rather than unite and struggle collectively.

Many Nagas now realised that the UNC's demand for special administrative arrangement was based on a narrow, communal perspective, and they have now started raising voices of dissent.

The UNC needs to introspect on its agenda of creating divisions even within the Naga tribes, apart from scheming to sow seeds of distrust between Nagas and non-Nagas, Rehman said.

It would be in the best interest of all if all the groups focus on what is practicable and re-orient their policies and activities towards peaceful coexistence and collective development.

Otherwise, each and every ethnic group would only witness downfall and doom, cautioned the AMUCO president.

Just like the UNC's demand for alternative arrangement, the recent demand for separate Kuki State was for some groups with vested interests, not for the mass.

"AMUCO firmly believes that all the people of Manipur are yearning for a united Manipur comprising of the Nagas, Kukis, Meiteis, Meitei-Pangals and all the indigenous ethnic groups", Rehman asserted.

The slogan of "peaceful coexistence and collective development" should be a slogan for all groups of not only Manipur but the entire North East region.

Only through this slogan, the future of the region can be made secure.

AMUCO would always stand and fight, if necessary any policy or programme that goes against this slogan.

KT Rehman also informed that AMUCO and UCM are working to observe June 18 anniversary jointly from next year onward.

The huge public meeting held at THAU ground was graced as presidium members by AMUCO president KT Rehman, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Lup president L Memchoubi, Irabot Foundation president Th Iboyaima, All Manipur Muslim Organisation Coordinating Committee president Md Kheiruddin Shah, Maring Naga Baptist Association vice-president Yaima Maring, AMSAKO president Beni Chiru, DL Kabui of Kabui Dharma Samaj, Thadou Tribe Union vice-president Chungjalal Singsit, Priyadarshini Gangte, Pastor Kungsong Wanbe and other leaders.