UCM observes 14th foundation day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 03 2014: The United Committee Manipur (UCM) observed its 14th foundation day at their Lamphelpat office today.

MU Vice Chancellor Prof H Nandakumar, UCM president Y Nabachandra, and UCM consultative members RK Ranendrajit and H Ibotombi Khuman attended the foundation day function as chief guest, president and special guests.

UPF president BM Yaima Shah, IPSA president E Johnson, NIPCO president Sunil Karam, PANDM president Yumnamcha Dillipkumar, ACOAM Lup president Ksh Somorendro, AMKIL president Ph Sakhi, Kanglamei president Y Leirik Leima and AMUCO president Dr Y Mani too attended the function as guests of honour.

Speaking at the function, UCM secretary general K Joychandra said that the Bangkok Declaration signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM on June 14, 2001 literally put Manipur on fire with thousands and thousands staging a massive protest demonstration in the capital town.

In the course of the historic mass movement, 18 people lost their lives on June 18 .

UCM observes 14th foundation day

As desired by the people, several civil society organisations joined hands and gave birth to the United Committee Manipur.

After 18 people were martyred, the Government of India review the Bangkok Declaration removed the inflammatory clause 'without territorial limits' from the agreement.

Yet, many forces are still challenging the territorial integrity of Manipur, Joychandra said.

People should be wary of the handful of people and their sinister design to drive wedges and create divisions among different ethnic communities of Manipur.

Claiming that UCM has been fighting against all disruptive forces and ploys targeting Manipur and her people, Joychandra asserted that UCM would work relentlessly for advancement of Manipuri society.

H Ibotombi highlighted the threats posed by incessant influx of immigrants.

The population of immigrants has swollen to such a scale that they have a domineering force over many indigenous ethnic groups.

It's not the time for internal bickerings.

The changing dynamics of regional politics demands unity and collective struggle, Ibotombi said.

Cautioning that all the indigenous people would disappear from Earth if the continuous process of influx is not checked immediately, Ibotombi sought public support and cooperation from other civil society organisations towards whatever course of action adopted by UCM.

UCM president Y Nabachandra claimed that UCM is a well-structured organisation which has its own distinctive characteristics.

Stating that UCM has been working to restore the age old bond of fraternity shared between hill people and plain people, Nabachandra informed that the committee has already embarked on a journey of soul-searching and rectification of past mistakes, if there was any, in order to promote peaceful co-existence of all indigenous communities.

He also called upon all community leaders to shed all ethno-centric outlook and agenda.

All the people of Manipur need to stand united as in the past in the greater interest of Manipur as a whole.

The gathering observed two minutes' silence in honour of the departed souls of UCM founder convenor Udoi Thongam and late UCM member Othello.