Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 02:
Residents of Yaipharok Maring village today stated that they would prefer to die in their respective homes in the State instead of fleeing to other areas in view of the likely eventualities arising out of the Centre�s extension of the boundary of the Naga ceasefire to Manipur.
The decision was announced by the villagers during the peace and understanding meeting organized by the Manipur Students� Federation (MSF) in the village today.
The meet was organized to maintain peace and harmony among the various communities residing in the state time immemorial and having inter-community marriages and also to inculcate the feeling of security and oneness among the communities in the backdrop of the tension mounting up after the extension of the truce area.
A Maring villager reiterated their stand for the territorial integrity of Manipur and said they will not change their stance as a result of recent developments.
Even if a communal flare up breaks out, they will never leave their place of birth and will die here, he said adding that the village had already decided to expel those who left the village and not to allow them to retrieve their property.
Another youth expressed hope that the ceasefire issue will not provoke communal flare up.
The Centre is trying to divide the different communities of the region and the people should not succumb to such designs.
Stating that Marings do not fall within either the Kukis or the Naga group, he expressed regret that certain groups are trying to dominate them.
Earlier before the meeting, the MSF team met villagers of Keirao Chingdong near Irilbung and enquired about their view points on the extension.
Chaoba Golmei, son of the village chief said that Meiteis, Muslims and Kabuis have been residing harmoniously in the area.
There also have been inter-caste marriages and the village chief was born to a Meitei father.
With all these in mind, the villagers are not worried that there will be any communal flare-up, he added.
A similar meeting was also held at Keikhu Kabui village.