Thousands pay tributes to integrity martyrs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 18 2014: Cutting across ethnicity, faiths and topography of one's place of residence, thousands of people paid fitting tributes to the 18 martyrs who laid down their lives for the territorial and emotional integrity of Manipur at their sacred memorial complex at Kekrupat.

As in the previous years, the 13th Great June Uprising, Unity Day was observed today under the aegis of AMUCO and UCM.

UCM president Y Nabachandra, AMUCO president Dr Y Mani Khuman, Nupi Samaj general secretary Th Ramani, Kuki Inpi Manipur president Thangkgosei Haokip, Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) president Amu Kamei, All Manipur Muslim Women's Development Organisation Sitara Begum and leaders of many other civil society organisations were seated on the dais together with family members of the 18 martyrs.

People cutting across ethnic divides paying tributes at Kekrupat

Giving the key-note address of the function, organising committee convenor T Gandhi recalled that the clause 'without territorial limits' inserted in the Bangkok agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM on June 14, 2001 posed a direct challenge to the age old territorial boundary of Manipur.

The same clause incited the people of Manipur to launch a massive, unprecedented, spontaneous mass movement in which 18 people achieved martyrdom.

Memories of the supreme sacrifices made by the 18 martyrs are still fresh in the minds of all Manipuris, Gandhi said.

Manipur is the birthplace of thousands of patriots who are ever ready to lay down their precious lives to safeguard the territorial boundary of Manipur and preserve its unity.

This was testified by the historic June mass movement of 2001 .

Highlighting the need to regulate the influx of outsiders, Gandhi said that people's demand is not about imposing a complete ban on entry of outsiders to Manipur.

Rather it is about putting in place a systematic mechanism to check entry, stay and exit of non-Manipuris into/from Manipur.

Saying that the Government of India has not stopped threatening the boundary of Manipur even today, Gandhi said AMUCO and UCM would never remain silent if the Government of India commits the blunder of challenging the integrity of Manipur just to appease NSCN-IM leadership.

The secret but implausible agenda put forward in connivance with the Government of India in different shapes like Supra State Body or Alternative Arrangement are being watched closely by the people of Manipur, Jiten stated.

UCM president Yumnam Nabachandra stated that the Great June Uprising, Unity Day is being observed not only in remembrance of the martyrs but also to foster unity and harmony among different communities and make Manipur a peaceful, progressive and pluralistic after shedding all ethno-centric agenda and parochial outlook.

The June 18 anniversary is a constant reminder that the people of Manipur have been living a wretched life and the event never fails to bolster people's sense of patriotism.

If the different ethnic groups further let themselves driven by narrow communal or ethno-centric agenda, the more than 2000 year old history of Manipur would vanish into the history of other peoples.

The 48 hours bandh called by the United Naga Council in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur against the alleged communal Government of Manipur has little impact on the June 18 anniversary observance.

But it is really disheartening that many Naga people who would like to join the mass in offering tributes to the martyrs could not attend the function because of the bandh, Nabachandra said.

Koireng Youth Organisation former president Pastor Kungsong Wanbe remarked that it was terrifying to recall the past events.

To ward off such terrible events in future, all the people of Manipur need to stand united.

He also decried the act of firing indiscriminately against the protesters which claimed the lives of 18 people.

He also expressed keen desire for all armed groups fighting for the right to self determination to unite together.