AMUCO, UCM gear up for June 18 anniv
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 25 2018: As in the preceding years, AMUCO and UCM have started due preparations for the 17th Great June Uprising, Unity Day 2018 observation.

Speaking to media persons at the Kwakeithel office of AMUCO this afternoon, observation committee chairman Sunil Karam said that the observation committee comprises of 24 members and 10 sub-committees have been constituted.

Recalling the historic civil movement, Sunil said that the Bangkok Declaration, signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM on June 14, 2001 sparked spontaneous massive protests throughout the State.

It was the clause 'without territorial limits' which sparked a massive violent public uproar and 18 people lost their lives m the course of the movement.

A large number of people sustained injuries and many others were maimed for life, Sunil said.

Later, on July 27 the same year, the clause 'without territorial limits' was removed from the cease fire agreement.

Yet, it appears that the cease fire agreement is de facto enforced in Manipur over the past many years, he remarked.

The historic civil movement of June 2001 demonstrated before the Government of India that the territorial integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable and all its citizens will continue to live together.

However, the Government of India has been challenging the integrity of Manipur even to mis day by hatching several conspiracies to divide the people, he alleged.

Nonetheless, the people of Manipur have been observing the June 18 anniversary every year thereby sending a strong message that any challenge to the integrity of Manipur and the sanctity of its territorial boundary would not be tolerated, Sunil asserted.

Saying that the Government of India is still not sincere on the question of Manipur's integrity, the chairman opined that this year's June 18 anniversary may give a platform to all the people of Manipur to take a collective position.

He further called upon all the people to swear collectively and avenge the martyrs who were killed in the civil movement of June 2001 in case any force continues to challenge the integrity of Manipur.

Observation committee vice-chairman Ph Deban said that the anniversary function assumes great significance as the challenge to die integrity of Manipur and the sanctity of its territorial boundary is still very much alive.

Even before British occupation, external forces repeatedly threatened die sovereignty of Manipur.

Under British occupation, British rulers divided Manipur into two domains namely; hills and valley.

Now the Government of India has been perpetuating the same divide and rule policy.

The Bangkok Declaration had a veiled intention to polarise me hill people and the valley people.

But die people of Manipur negated the Government of India's intention and gave a befitting response by rejecting the declaration collectively, Deban said.

Many Government offices including the Manipur Legislative Assembly went up in flames because the Government of India did not respect the people's voice and sentiment, he said.

Any further attempt to divide Manipur will invite more ferocious civil movements, Deban warned.

He also appealed to all the people of different communities of Manipur, Manipuri diasporas and CSOs to join and support the June 18 anniversary function.

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