NIPCO celebrates birthday
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 13 2013 :
National identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) celebrated its 13th foundation anniversary with senior journalist RK Ranendrajit gracing the commemorative function as the chief guest at Manipur Press Club today.
Noting various activities of NIPCO to strengthen fraternal bond amongst the indigenous communities in its 13 years of existence and exhorting the Committee volunteers to further extend its service so that people of Manipur could live under a cordial environment, Ranendrajit called upon every section of the society to contribute towards lasting peace and harmony in the State.
Delivering the presidential address, NIPCO president Sunil Karam alleged 'divide and rule' policy of India for sporadic cases/incidents of animosity between one indigenous community and another ever since the erstwhile independent Manipur became a part of the Indian Union.
Referring to land dispute arising out of the Indo-Myanmar border fencing as a classic example of the Central Government's indifferent attitude against Manipur, he contended that the only interest for India in the State is to position Manipur as a frontier entity to maintain its geographical boundary.
Expressing that interest of the people of Manipur or safeguarding its boundary would never be an agenda of the Central Government, Sunil stressed on the need for collective effort of every section of the society to foil and expose anti-people policy of the Government.
Blaming both the Central and State Governments for various ills afflicting the Manipuri society, he construed that discriminatory policies, rape of women, extra-judicial killings of innocent citizens and inaction to pull up and punish the real drug smugglers are testimony that welfare of the indigenous people do not concern the Government.
As a guest of honour, UCM president yumnam Nabachandra highlighted that the present border fencing row is a wake up call to all the civil society organisations to launch joint movement for protecting territorial integrity of Manipur.
Announcing that UCM would soon undertake an extensive campaign to safeguard territorial integrity of Manipur, Nabachandra solicited contribution from all sections of the society.
United Peoples Front president BM Yaima Shah and Indigenous Minorities' Organisation Manipur president L Khupler Kom were among various NGO representatives who attended the NIPCO foundation anniversary.