Integrity and Solidarity Day observance held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 28 2011: The 11th Manipur Integrity and Solidarity Day Observance was held at Palace Compound Lamyanba Shanglen today under the joint aegis of Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup and National Integrity Protection Committee (NIPCO).

Delivering the key-note address NIPCO secretary Oinam Premjit said the observance is being held for the past many years to commemorate the mass rally held on this day in 2000 for protection of Manipur's territorial and emotional integrity.

Recounting that signing of the ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) contained certain clauses that threatened the peaceful co-existence of various communities, he said the rally evoked spontaneous response from every section of the society who rose in unison to demand amendment of the ceasefire clause pertaining to 'without territorial limit' .

With the then Bangkok Declaration creating an upheaval in the State and triggering mass movement that consequently forced the Centre to officially amend the controversial ceasefire clause on July 14, 2001, lakhs of people from a cross section of the society joined the mass rally of September 28, 2001 to remind the Centre against testing tolerance limit of the people, Premjit said.

Observation of Integrity and Solidarity day

He added that the ceasefire agreement 'without territorial limit' was signed between the Centre and NSCN (IM) in defiance of the warning to the Government of India against any attempt to distort Manipur's boundaries in the form of the massive public rally of August 4, 1997 .

United Committee Manipur advisor RK Ranendrajit said the June 18 and September 28 movements are the people's message to the Centre that unity and integrity of Manipur will be protected at any cost by the people.

Reflecting on the ongoing misjudgement of the people's pulse but also testify administrative incompetency.

Alleging that the Centre is continuously plotting to the create ethnic division, he said the Government of Manipur repeatedly failing to resolve important issues is only making the Central Government to put on trial its sinister scheme with even more audacity.

Ranendrajit said imposition of AFSPA 1958 despite the people's opposition to the draconian act testify the Centre's intention to spark bloodshed in Manipur, against which the people should remain vigil.

As one of the speakers, Kuki Women's Union Manipur president Rose Mangshi Haokip said like in the past the people of Manipur should collectively shoulder the responsibility for protecting the State against all adversary forces.

Expressing that there is need for unity among the people to achieve any common goal as well as to thwart sinister scheme of the Central Government, she endorsed the demand the upgrading Sadar Hills to a full-fledged revenue district.

Pointing out that denying the people of Sadar Hills its rightful demand for over 40 years by the Government of Manipur is without any justification, Mangshi said the Government of Manipur too should play its part in strengthening the age-old bond between the hill and valley people.

Speaking at the occasion, Nupi Samaj president K Taruni blamed the MLAs and Ministers for various problems besieging the State.

Alleging that MLAs/Minister, especially those elected from the hills have been misusing public fund and concentrating more on amassing personal wealth and building palatial buildings in the valley, Taruni asserted that limited welfare programmes in the hill areas is an important cause for ever growing voices of dissension from the hills.

Representatives of All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation, NIPCO, AMKIL and other social organisations speaking at the anniversary observance also stressed on unity and understanding amongst various communities to overcome all hurdles posed by disruptive elements.