18th foundation day of UCM : Threats to State highlighted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 03 2018: United Committee Manipur (UCM) president Sunil Karam has said that UCM will stand with the people and protect the boundaries and the integrity of Manipur.

He made the statement during the 18th foundation day celebration of UCM at its head office at Lamphel today.

Speaking at the event, Sunil Karam urged all the communities residing in the State to unite and face the external forces trying to divide the people.

The Central Government has always been playing with the boundaries of Manipur since the old days and till date the Centre is not done sticking its fingers into the international boundaries of Manipur, he said and added that ever since Manipur merged into India, it has lost more than 110 square kilometres of its land.

In midst of the raging issue regarding the shifting of the border pillar between Myanmar and Manipur, the recent statement by Union Minister of State Kiren Rijiju that there has been no effect on the boundary of Manipur shows the true colour and negligent policy of India towards Manipur, the UCM president said.

Sunil Karam claimed that India is trying to destroy the boundaries of Manipur on two fronts by giving one to a neighbouring country and by giving the other part to other Indian States.

UCM and the people will never accept such kind of policy of the Indian Government, he said and added that UCM will stand with the people to protect the integrity of the State at all costs.

On the other hand, UCM general secretary Khuraijam Athouba said that the ultimate responsible agency behind any kind of threats to the boundary and integrity of the State is the Central Government The claims made by Kiren Rijiju that no land of India and Manipur is affected and that there are no kind of border dispute, is an insult to the people and shows lack of any care for the State and its boundaries/integrity.

If even an inch of land was compromised at Arunachal-China border or Kashmir-Pakistan border, India will send all of its army to protect its land.

When it comes to encroachment by neighbouring country (which is measurable in kilometres) in Manipur and harassment of the people by Myanmar army, the Central Government seems happy staying silent and it shows that the people of Manipur are worth next to nothing for India, he claimed.

Athouba said that the situation has reached such a stage where the people of Manipur have to protect the boundaries of their homeland themselves.

As such, UCM will demand the Chief Minister to establish a State Border Security Force at the earliest.

It is imperative for the people of Manipur to defend their own State now, he added.

President of All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) Ph Deban said that the sentiments of the people depends a lot on the integrity of the State.

If an issue of the State's integrity crops up, the people will never remain silent.

Knowing this, the Central Government is trying to create friction between Myanmar and Manipur, Deban claimed.

The people are well aware of the dirty tactics implemented by the Central Government to toy with the public sentiments and turn communities against each another.

Urging all the communities residing in the State to unite against such attempt, he warned that until and unless the people are united they may get swayed.

It is high time for the people to work together in the interest of the State by giving up communal interest, he said.

Speaking at the event, Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Nagaland, Manipur) president Amu Kamei said that one will never be happy if his or her home is ruined.

So, it is the firm stand of all the people and communities to protect the unity of Manipur, he said.

On the other hand, Kuki Women Union Manipur advisor Rose Mangsi assured that the present ILP Bill which is being prepared will be a positive one and will not affect any community.

It will also prevent non indigenous people from pouring into the State, she added.

Apunba Manipur Kanba Lup (AMKIL) president Phanjoubam Sakhi, Kangleipak Lamjing Apunba Meira Lup (Kanglamei) president Y Leirik Leima, UCM consultative committee members RK Ranendrajit and H Ibotombi Khuman, National Identity Protection Council (NIPCO) president H Premjit, International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) president Joychandra Konthoujam, United People's Front (UPF) president Warepam Second, All Clubs Organizations Association and Meira Paibi Lup (ACOAM-Lup) president Chandramani Khumancha and Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) vice president Jitendra Ningomba attended the event as the presidium members.

Comment