Imphal, June 26: Over 10000 people belonging to various communities took to the streets again today to protest the extension of the Indo-Naga cease fire into Manipur and reaffirmed to protect the territorial integrity of state.

People belonging to Naga community, particularly the Tangkhul ethnic group, to which the NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah belongs, took part in the anti-cease fire extension rally held at Pangei under Imphal East district apart from the Kom, Kabui and Nepali communities.

A public meeting was also held after the rally.

During the meeting, speakers belong to various communities termed the Indo-Naga cease fire extension as a ploy to disintegrate Manipur and to increase friction among various communities living together in harmony in the state for the last 2000 years.

Protesters displayed placards which read �We�ll not let our territorial integrity of Manipur�, �Don�t employ divide and rule police�, �We�ll not let our territory disintegrate�, �Indian government will be responsible for any communal disharmony�, �Withdraw the decision of Indo-Naga cease fire extension to Manipur�, etc.

The rally which began from the Yumnam Khunou this morning at 9 am, concluded at Pangei High School ground where a public meeting was held.

Speakers belonging to different communities expressed their opposition to the cease-fire extension and demanded immediate withdrawal.

Social worker and advisor of the All Manipur United Club�s Organisation (AMUCO) Thounaojam Iboyaima pointed out that several lakhs of people in the state have expressed their strong objection to the cease fire extension and have affirmed to protect the territory of the state.

Charging the government of India of attempting to disintegrate Manipur, he expressed his gratitude to the people belonging to various communities for maintaining harmony despite the unwanted development.

Iboyaima also made it very clear that the present fight is against the moves of the government of India which is trying to disintegrate the state into pieces and not among the brothers residing in the state for the last 2000 years.

Iboyaima said, the recent sacrifice by the 14 �heroes� during the June 18 uprising has awakened the people of the state and expressed his strong belief that the Indian government will lose in this battle.

AMUCO leader Ito Tongbram said no force in the world can disturb the territorial integrity of the state as long as we stand unitedly we are now.

Expressing his gratitude to the Tangkhul and other community leaders for their presence in the integrity rally, he cautioned the people against the Indian government�s �attempt� to stir up communal tension in the state.

He also called upon the people to �teach a lesson� to the government of India how the diverse population of the state protect its territory.

He further warned the government of India that the AMUCO will take to a separatist movement if the government of India continues to turn a deaf ear to the voice of the people.

Ito also asked the people to be prepared for some �historic declaration� by the AMCUO in the near future on the territorial integrity issue.

The AMUCO leader also pointed out that the state administration has set the Assam Rifles against the leaders of the AMUCO, AMSU, AMKIL, NIPCO and UPF over the present movement and the members are compelled to go into hiding.

Stating that some members of the AMSU have been arrested over the issue, he added, that such acts of repression cannot cow down the uprising as the people are on their side.

The meeting participated by leaders of various communities unanimously resolved to protect the territorial integrity of the state.

The meeting also affirmed to extend all cooperation to any steps taken up by the joint committee of AMUCO, AMSU, NIPCO, AMKIL and UPF on the issue.

Chairman of the Indo-Naga Cease-fire Extension in Manipur.

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