Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, July 18:
A three day civil disobedience movement sponsored by the United Committee Manipur (UCM) as part of protest against the decision to extend the Centre- NSCN (IM) ceasefire to areas beyond Nagaland is set to begin tomorrow to be followed by a 24 hour strike on July 23, the day the monsoon session of parliament begins in New Delhi.
Official sources said security measures have been stepped up across Manipur in view of the proposal civil disobedience movement and subsequent general strike.
In the meantime, the UCM, in a statement issued here, has urged the public to boycott all government establishments and to join mass sit-in-protest demonstrations during the next three days as part of the civil disobedience movement.
It also urged the public not to step out of doors and observe a general strike on July 23 in boycott of Parliament, the monsoon session of which is to commence on the same day.
The UCM reminded the public that the government of India was solely responsible for the move for extension of the NSCN (IM) ceasefire to Manipur, and said the people�s movement should not be directed against any other entity, including the Nagas.
It also stressed that the territorial integrity of Manipur can be protected in the long term only by the continued friendly relations and unity among the communities coexisting in Manipur since time immemorial.
While standing firm against attempts to disintegrate Manipur.
All efforts must be made to strengthen the bonds of friendship existing among the communities of Manipur, it said.
In this regard, the UCM also declared that any attempt to drive in wedges among Manipur�s close knit communities would be regarded as an attempt to destroy Manipur�s integrity.