Thousands rally for common future of Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 06 2016 : Thousands took to the streets today to participate in the rally for a common future of the land and people and resolved to jointly uphold the integrity of the land as well as to urge the Government of India to acknowledge the stand of the people.

Jointly organised by the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), Committee on Civil Societies, Kangleipak (CCSK) and United Committee, Manipur (UCM), thousands gathered at THAU ground to participate in the rally at 9.40 am today.

Starting from THAU ground, the rally made its way through Khoyathong, Nagamapal, Wahengbam Leikai, Keishampat and then after passing through Keishamthong made its way through Thumbuthong and proceeded towards Konung Mamang and Hatta.

After crossing Minuthong the rallyists made their way towards the main stadium of Khuman Lampak where a public meeting was held.

Even as those at the head of the rally were crossing Minuthong those coming at the rear part were still crossing Khoyathong, underlining the huge public participation.

Thousands marching towards Khuman Lampak for a common future

Leaders of different communities, students, representatives of political parties, members of voluntary organisations took part in the rally.

State agencies pegged the number of rallyists at about 50,000 but volunteers who helped in organising the rally put the number at over two lakh.

Slogans such as 'the integrity of Manipur should not be compromised,' 'hill and valley people are one and the same' 'long live Manipur,' were raised by the rallyists.

Festoons and placards were also carried by the rallyists.

At the public meeting at Khuman Lampak main stadium, president of Kuki Inpi, Manipur, Thangkhosei Haokip, vice-president of Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland), R Chandra Haomei, village secretary of Lishamlok, H Moses Tangkhul, president of Aimol Tribe Union, RT Akhel Aimol, headman of Purum Likli, Rimneichong Purum, chairman of Vaiphei Peoples' Council, TS Anek Vaiphei, chairman of Art and Culture, Chothe Tribe, Y Maipak Chothe, president of Jamiat ul Ulema, Manipur, Maulana Sayeed Ahmed, president of AMUCO, Y Mani Khuman, president of CCSK Arjun Telheiba, president of UCM, Johnson Elangbam and titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba were the presidium members.

The public meeting adopted four resolutions.

The resolutions were, the integrity of Manipur will never be compromised and the Government of India should respect the stand of the people.

The Government of India should drop its divide and rule policy, vis-a-vis the hill and valley people and all the indigenous people of the land share the same mother and no force should dilute this fact.

It was also resolved to oppose any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the State by neighbouring States.

Giving the key note address, UCM general secretary YK Dhiren said that the rally and the public meeting are held to face the repeated threats to the age old unity of the people, the people to people co-operation and the respect for each others' traditions.

It is also to chart out the way for a common future of the people and a united land that the rally and the public meeting are held, he added.

Even today, there are attempts being made to sow the seeds of discord amongst the people, he enunciated and added that there is a widespread propaganda that the majority community is trying to annihilate the smaller communities.

Nothing could be further from the truth than this, he added.

The proof of this lies in the ceasefire pact signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) in 1997, claimed YK Dhiren.

He further said that pressure has been mounted to bring out a white paper on the Framework Agreement signed between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) on August 3 last year.

Even though people may profess different language, religion and traditions, all are steadfast in their stand to collectively oppose any design to threaten the land and the people.

The Government of India should never forget that it is this oneness which has enabled the land and the people to live together as one for centuries, added YK Dhiren.

No one should try to sow the seeds of divide among the different communities in the name of taking up developmental works, he said and added that if the Government of India thinks of developing any part of Manipur, it should be done in consultation with the Government of Manipur.

It is good that the Government of India has taken cognizance of the Naga issue, but this issue should not pose any threat to the integrity of Manipur, he said.

Since 1964, the Nagaland State Assembly has taken five resolutions to bring all the Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit.

The last such resolution was adopted in February last year, he said and added that the NSCN (IM) has also been championing this.

However the Government of India should realise that this issue should not cross into any of the neighbouring States of Nagaland and no attempts should be made to pass any law or administrative mechanism such as Pan Naga Cultural Body, Supra State, Semi-Parliament etc, cautioned YK Dhiren.

"We know and acknowledge the role taken up by the civil society organisations and Church bodies to bring peace in Nagaland and likewise they too should respect the sentiments and stand of the people of Manipur," added YK Dhiren.

Jiribam also staged the 'Mass Rally for the Common Future of Manipur' under the aegis of the Mass Rally Organisation Committee, Jiribam today bringing out large number of people on the streets of Jiribam.

The public rally which took off from Jiribam Higher Secondary School playground ended at Apunba Jiribam Meira Paibi (AJMP) office with a public meeting, our correspondent reports.

Former Minister A Biren Singh, Md Foiz Ahmed, Tahengmang Panmei, Md Badain, M Hemanta Mangang and M Maipak Sana were the presidium members of the public meeting.

A memorandum was also submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the ADC.