20th Manipur Integrity day observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 04 2017: The 20th Manipur Integrity day was observed today at the hall of Manipur Dramatic Union at Mapal Kangjeibung today along with paying floral tributes at the integrity pillar erected in remembrance of the public rally and protest taken up by the people on August 4, 1997 against any action to compromised with the territorial integrity of the State .

Numerous volunteers and advisors of All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) as well as other civil society organisations, experts and community leaders took part in the event which was organised by AMUCO .

The people offered floral tributes to the Integrity pillar in the morning as a part of the function and later, a public meeting was held at MDU hall.

AMUCO president Ph Deban, Zeliangrong Union president Amu Kamei, All Manipur Muslim Development Organisation president DP Sahid Ahamed, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president L Memchoubi and Komrem Union, Manipur, president, Lalkhomang Serto attended the event as the presidium members .

20th Manipur Integrity day observed

Speaking at the event, AMUCO secretary S Sanjoy said there are instances in history when Manipur has been annexed, either in parts or for some time by neighbouring kingdoms when Manipur was independent .

"Manipur was taken over by the British and then regained its independence not too long ago, but that independence did not last long as it merged with India on October 15, 1949", he added.

S Sanjoy pointed out that even after Manipur became a part of India, the threat to her territorial integrity did not stop.

"Then, in 1997, the Government of India signed a cease fire agreement with a revolutionary group and in the aftermath, the people of Manipur and various other CSOs spearheaded by AMUCO organised a rally and public meeting at Imphal participated by more than 5 lakh individuals, on August 4, that same year, to protest against any action to harm the territorial integrity of Manipur as a result of the agreement.

From that day, August 4 has been observed every year as Manipur Integrity Day", Sanjoy added .

Speaking at the event, UCM general secretary YK Dhiren explained that the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015 between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is a result of the cease fire agreement signed between the two party in 1997.He pointed out that the Government of India is trying its best to hide the contents of the Framework Agreement and added that AMUCO, CCSK and UCM organised a public rally in February last year and also submitted a memorandum to the Central Government regarding the same .

"The communities living together in Manipur have to fight together to prevent any harm to the territorial integrity of the State", he added.

Lalkhomang Serto explained that developing the underprivileged hill areas of the State and taking up necessary steps to improve the bond between the people of the hill and the valley will play the most important part in the struggle to save the territorial integrity of the State .

Speaking at the event, Ph Deban said that AMUCO, ever since it was established in 1993, has been working tirelessly to protect the territorial integrity of the State and to preserve total harmony among the different communities and added that for AMUCO, Manipur means the 36 different communities living together in the State.

Deban further said that AMUCO is not against any community and accused the Central Government of playing divide and rule policy .

He also urged the people to be alert against the Central and the State Government's secretive exploration of oil and mineral resources in the State.