99th Anglo-Kuki war day observed : All are one call sounded through
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 19 2016: Titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba has said that it was rather unfortunate that the communities which have peacefully coexisted since early times are now tinted with selfish and communal thoughts.

The titular king made this statement at the 99th Anglo-Kuki war day, 2016, organised by the Kuki Inpi, Kuki Students Organisation and the Kuki Independence War Memorial Committee at Kuki Inn today.

Leishemba Sanajaoba said, "Manipur has always been a land populated, not only by Meiteis, but also by people of different communities.

So it is only fair that the history of the different communities are included in the academic syllabus of the students" .

He said "our forefathers used to put our motherland first but now the people have been consumed by selfish and communal thoughts and put their own self interest first before anything else" .

The violence which erupted at Khurai yesterday affected many innocent people he said and added "this is what UNC wanted from the beginning.

We should identify the people or the elements which seek to destroy the very fabric of peace in the State.

There are only two types of people in the State now, not communities.

One who love Manipur and one who want to destroy our motherland," he said.

United Committee, Manipur president Johnson Elangbam, All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation advisor KT Rehman and Kuki Inpi Manipur president Thangkhosei Haokip also participated in the event.

Speaking at the event, Thangkhosei Haokip said that they have been appealing to the Government of Manipur to declare this day as a State holiday on account of Anglo Kuki War and pointed out that the people of the hill areas have been safeguarding the territory of Manipur since early days and will continue to do so.

AMUCO advisor KT Rehman said that it was really unfortunate that the different communities of the State sometimes are pitched against one another.

He pointed out that the demands of the UNC are only for a single community but the burden of the economic blockade is faced by everyone living in the State.

UCM president Johnson Elangbam accused some individuals of playing identity politics with communal undertones thereby causing tensions between the different communities.

He said that it is high time for all the stakeholders and the people involved to come to an agreement at the earliest and bring an end to the tense situation prevailing in the State.

"There are many different communities in the State.

Even if one community is missing, then our land cannot be called Manipur", he said.

Urging the people not to spread rumours during such a critical juncture, Johnson expressed disappointment at the violence that erupted at Khurai yesterday and said that the people of Manipur need to work together in order to bring peace and stability.

Comment