AMUCO says no to territory loss
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 04 2013: While reaffirming its resolve to safe guard the territorial integrity of Manipur, the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has asserted that it would not tolerate loss of any piece of Manipur's territory on account of border fencing along Indo-Myanmar border in Moreh sector or elsewhere.

Speakers at the 16th Integrity Day observance held at MDU Hall today AMUCO asserted that no force should be allowed to disturb Mani-pur's boundary.

Any design to re-draw the boundary of Manipur would be opposed and defeated by the collective strength of the mass.

The Integrity Day observance opened with offering of floral tributes at the Integrity Pillar erected adjacent to Pologround.

Members at the dais during Integrity Day observance

AMUCO general secretary MC Modhuchandra appealed to the Government to halt the boundary fencing work in view of the imminent loss of vast tracts of Manipur's territory which would bifurcate Govajang village between India and Myanmar and put Molvaphai village inside Myanmar apart from affecting a number of outlying villages like Molnom, Laiching, Yangnoi, Bongyang and Nongcham.

Anticipating the possibility of disturbing Manipur's territory when the Government of India and NSCN-IM inked a ceasefire agreement, around five lakh people took out a historic rally at Imphal on August 4, 1997 where it was collectively pledged to protect Manipur's territorial integrity and strengthen the bond of fraternity shared by all indigenous communities of the State.

Since then, AMUCO has been observing August 4 as Integrity Day every year, Modhuchandra said.

Different forces and actors are still instigating New Delhi to sow seeds of distrust and animosity between hill people and plain people and ultimately disintegrate Manipur.

These conspiracies took different names and forms from time to time.

It started with greater Nagaland, then Southern Nagaland, supra State body and now alternative arrangement.

For all these reasons, all the people of Manipur need to vigilant and united, Modhuchandra asserted.

The function was graced by AMUCO president Dr Y Mani Khuman, Irabot Foundation Manipur president Th Iboyaima, Advocate Dhananjoy, Kabui Mothers Association president Kakomlunglu Kamei, Kunjarani of AMAWOVA, Advocate K Joychandra, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president L Memchoubi, Aleng Chiru of the Chiru Tribe Union North East, Kheruddin of the All Manipur Muslim United Coordinating Committee and Kuki Mother's Association president Rose Mangshi as presidium members.

Mani Khuman decried that the ongoing border fencing work along Indo-Myanmar border would left out around 10 square Kms of Manipur's territory on the side of Myanmar.

This is not acceptable to AMUCO.

Representatives of AMUCO would soon visit the border areas where the fence is constructed and come out with a definite report.

After that AMUCO would highlight the issue to all relevant parties and stakeholders, stated the AMUCO president.

Th Iboyaima observed establishment of numerous parties in Manipur is not a positive sign.

Raising the number of parties cannot save Manipur.

Parties/organisations need to work collectively on common and major issues of Manipur.

Advocate K Joychandra asserted that the adversaries of Manipur are neither Nagas nor Kukis nor Muslims but the Government of India.

Pointing out that New Delhi has given its approval for carving out Telengana State from Andhra Pradesh, Joychandra noted that the fear for possible disintegration of Manipur is still lurking for the Indian Constitution empowers the Government of India to re-draw boundaries of its States.

Yet, the issue of Manipur is quite different from the issue of Telengana or its creation.

Andhra Pradesh was formed by merging different provinces at the behest of the Government of India.

On the other hand, Manipur had its boundaries well demarcated much before it became a part of India and it remained independent kingdom for more than 2000 years.

Given these facts, provision of the Indian Constitution which empowers New Delhi to alter boundaries of States should not be made applicable in Manipur, Joychandra demanded.

UCM president Y Nabachandra, social activist Dhanabir Laishram and other personalities too spoke at the function.