Instigators behind violence: UCM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 03 2023: While stating that the unwanted incidents that erupted in the state were due instigators orchestrating violent agitation merely for eviction of enchroachers from reserved forest and stopping poppy cultivation, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) said instigators must be responsible if the violence intensifies into communal clash.

Addressing media persons at its office at Lamphelpat on Wednesday evening, UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam said the UCM with its motto of peace, unity and integrity has been working towards strengthening unity and integrity of all the communities living in Manipur.

However, there had been unwanted incidents from time to time due to difference of opinions and socio-political aspirations among indigenous communities and the same was the case for Wednesday's incident at Torbung Bangla.

According to Joychandra, conflict between the government and some individuals over differences in reserved forest and poppy cultivation led to the violence and it was inhumane nature for violence mongers to target innocent civilians.

He said that UCM will not take lightly if the violence intensifies and threatens peaceful co existence of indigenous communities living together since time immemo -rial in Manipur.

While calling for immediate halt to torching of houses and other anti-social activities, the UCM president urged government to deploy adequate security forces in sensitive areas like Churachandpur, Moreh and others.

UCM general secretary W Second, who also attended the press conference, said all the indigenous communities have been living together with harmony in Manipur since time immemorial and UCM is working towards promoting harmony and peaceful co-existence among all the communities.

He then appealed to UNC, Kuki Inpi and organisations of other communities to work together in stopping violence and bringing normalcy in the state.

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