Unity calls echo on the Great June Uprising, Unity Day Fitting tributes paid to martyrs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 18 2015 : Cutting across different religions and ethnicity, thousands of people thronged Kekrupat, the resting place of 18 brave souls who gave up their lives for the territorial and emotional integrity of Manipur and paid befitting homage to the martyrs today.

The 14th Great June Uprising, Unity Day was observed today under the aegis of All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) and United Committee, Manipur (UCM).

UCM president E Johnson, AMUCO president Dr Y Mani Khuman, Poirei Leimarol president L Memchoubi, Tami Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup president S Momon Leima, Kangla Mei president Y Leirik Leima, Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) president Amu Kamei, Kuki Inpi, Manipur vice-president Haojakup Laphu, and leaders of many other civil society organisations even from neighbouring State Assam and village chiefs were seated on the dais together with family members of the 18 martyrs.

People from different walks of life paying tributes at Kekrupat

Recalling the clause 'without territorial limits' inserted in the Bangkok agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM on June 14, 2001, organising committee convenor YK Dhiren Meitei in his keynote address stated that the agreement posed a direct challenge to the age old territorial boundary of Manipur.

It ultimately incited the people of Manipur to launch a massive, unprecedented, spontaneous mass movement in which 18 people were killed.

Memories of the sacrifices made by the 18 brave Manipuris are still fresh in the minds of all people, added Dhiren.

"The historic June mass movement of 2001 has shown the world that we are ready to lay down our lives to protect and save our land" .

He added that AMUCO and UCM would never remain silent if the Central Government makes the same blunder of challenging the integrity of Manipur just to appease NSCN-IM leaders.

UCM president Elangbam Johnson stated that the Great June Uprising, Unity Day is being observed not only in remembrance of the martyrs but also to bring unity amongst different communities of the State and to stand together as one.

"The June 18 observation is to prepare ourselves on what should be our next step as the Indo- Naga Peace talk is coming to an end this December," he stated.

He asserted that any solution to the protracted old Indo- Naga political dialogue should be made public and it should not hurt the sentiments of Manipuri people.

"Observation of the Great June Uprising, Unity Day is not against any community or any ethnic group but it is indeed a clear message to the Central Government not to mess around with the integrity of Manipur as we all are united," stated Johnson.

The unambiguous stand of UCM, AMUCO and other CSOs of the State is that "We are all united and we will fight for our integrity", he added.

If the Central Govt creates an ethnic political unit based on the nomenclature of any particular community, it would not be entertained by the people of Manipur as it is not feasible and can challenge the integrity of Manipur, added Johnson.

"Instead of fighting among ourselves, all the major apex CSOs of the State should be united as one irrespective of ethnicity, community or religion and create a common platform to discuss the issues of our State to bring unity", stated Amu Kamei.

"Communal words should be removed from our vocabulary as they go against the common yearning for unity and harmony," stated Amu.

He condemned the culture of calling bandhs and blockades by various CSOs based on their vested interests and parochial outlook.

Such bandhs and blockades not only weaken the State's economy but also deter unity.

Dr Y Mani Khuman said, "The supreme sacrifices of the 18 people on this very date have shown us a path we should follow unfailingly.

Like them we must be ready to sacrifice our life for the State" .

In order to bring unity and integrity, everyone must keep aside their ideological differences.

It is high time for all the CSOs to unite as one and work collectively in the interest of Manipur, Dr Mani stated.

Father of Social Workers, Th Iboyaima at the outset of the function commented, "We need to stand together as one and fight for our land like our forefathers did, and show to our future generations that we laid down our lives for a good cause." Other speakers of the function endorsed the idea of unity and urged people to denounce the bandh and general strike culture which have been plaguing the State for quite a long time.

As part of the Great June Uprising, Unity Day observation, a blood donation camp was also organized.

Deputy CM Gaikhangam, MP Th Meinya, Ministers AK Mirabai, I Hemochandra, Govindas Konthoujam, Abdul Nasir, MLAs RK Anand, RK Imo, I Ibohalbi, Dr Ng Bijoy, K Sarat, and BJP's M Bhorot and Th Chaoba were prominent personalities who came to pay floral tributes to the 18 martyrs.