Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 09:
For upsetting and jeopardising the age old filial relationships and cordiality among the peoples of hills and valley some 200 years ago during a historical episode, the major community Meiteis ought to apologise to their hill brethren for their historical blunder, stated AMUCO chief advisor Thounaojam Iboyaima.
Thounaojam Iboyaima was speaking as a presidium member during a public discussion held at Kumbi bus parking, Moirang today as a part of the year long UNIDEP (Unity, Development and Peace) Campaign.
AMUCO president R Yangsosong Koireng noted that the development programmes being undertaken by the State Government and the Union Government are for the welfare of moneyed-class rather than for the underprivileged and impoverished sections of the society.
Any development programme undertaken by the State should not be sectarian in nature.
He further conveyed deep concern saying that the development policy pursued by the State Government in the hill districts has been derailing any move towards bringing unity in Manipur instead of benefiting the people of hill districts in an equitable manner.
In the absence road connections among villages in hill districts, non-existence of health care facilities and shortage of education infrastructure, how could unity, development and peace become a reality in the State, wondered Yangsosong.
Speaking in the discussion programme attended by numerous people belonging to different ethnic groups, AMUCO vice-president KT Rehaman blamed the Government of India for scheming to disintegrate Manipur and suppress the freedom of its people.
Such a diabolic policy should be collectively challenged by the people of Manipur, he observed.
Calling upon the people to safeguard the integrity of the State, he lamented that various petty problems belonging to small ethnic groups have been made State issues.
AMESCO vice-president LS Guite called upon all the people of Manipur to respect each other's religion and to build up unity of the State.
He noted that when there was unity among the indigenous people of Manipur, development and social security would come by itself.
Human rights activist Phulindro observed that Manipur has its own natural integrity.
He remarked that hill people could not survive without products of the valley and likewise, it was impossible for valley people to do away products from the hills.
This age old basic interdependence is a clear testimony of the underlying unity among the hills and valley and all the people should stay away from doing anything that might disturb this unity, Phulindro noted.
Other speakers rued that there was no need to work for unity as it existed by itself among the peoples of Manipur when the land was a peaceful, sovereign land.
However, the need to work for unity arose due to the divide and rule policy pursued by the Government of India in Manipur after its merger with the Indian Union.
As such, it's high to stand united and negate the unholy policy of the Union Government, they agreed.
The public discussion programme was graced by functionaries of AMUCO, AMESCO, AMAWOVA, PLAM, UCOBID, village chiefs of Upper Khoirentak, Phungchangjang, Khoushabung and many others as presidium members.