Unity call rings out on AMUCO's Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 12 2018: The silver jubilee celebration of All Manipur United Clubs' Organization (AMUCO) began at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) Auditorium, Konung Mamang, today.

The celebration, which will conclude tomorrow, was graced by PWD Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, AMUCO president Ph Deban Sharma, Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) president Amu Kamei, Senior Citizen for Society, Manipur working president, RV Mingthing, Integrated Manipuri Association (IMA), Bangladesh secretary general, Hironmoy Singha, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur's president L Memchoubi Devi, All Manipur Muslim Development Organization (AMMDO) president DP Shahid Ahamad and many other representatives of various CSOs of the State as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Speaking at the function, Biswajit called upon the people to build a strong and united State by refraining from narrow mindedness and communal thoughts.

Unity call rings out on AMUCO's Day

Reminding that there were few distressing and fearful moments of ethnic clash and rift among the communities residing in the State due to misunderstanding and mis-communication, Biswajit stressed on the need of proper communication and to settle any differences among people residing in the State in an amicable way.

Lauding the roles taken by the CSOs of the State in promoting a sense of to-getherness and unity till date, the Minister exuded confidence that the CSOs will.further enhance such values in the days to come.

He then urged all the people to foster peace and harmony, stating that development will come only when there is peace and harmony in the State.

Asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken up various welfare schemes and projects for the people, Biswajit asked the people to take the benefits of the initiatives taken up by the Central and State Government in Manipur.

AMUCO president Deban claimed that AMUCO lias been serving the State with active participation in many of the State's matters and social issues since the association's establishment.

Claiming that many external forces/influences have tried to divide the State numerous times, he said that the AMUCO has given more emphasis to preserving the State's integrity and has been fighting the said external forces which prevail in the State from time to time.

Many unwanted incidents and issues sprang up after Manipur merged with India in 1949.There was the Kuki-Naga ethnic clash followed by development of ill feeling among the indigenous communities residing in the State.

There is also the matter of a different attitude shown by mainland India towards the people of the State till date, apart from many other external forces inciting hatred and communal feelings among the different communities residing in the State, Deban continued.

AMUCO was formed in 1993, when the refugees of the Naga-Kuki clash came to the valley region to find shelter.

It opened various rehabilitation camps in many parts of the valley region and provided shelter to the refugees of the said clash.

Till now, the organization is working for the common interests of the people and for the integrity of the State, he added.

He also appealed all to avoid considering/thinking only about a particular community and urged the people to build a united Manipur, adding that any attempt to disintegrate the State will be futile and only living together will bring peace and harmony in the State.

Deban said that developing a model for the people of the State to reside and share all areas (including hills), together, will foster a peaceful and united Manipur.

MU's retired Professor N Joykumar, while speaking as an invitee, stated that the role of CSOs in the State is immense as they have been taking the major role in almost all the socio-economic and political aspects of the State since the past many years.

He pointed out that with the emergence of political consciousness in the State after World War II, different political parries and their leaders, took active and pivotal roles in the developmental, social, economical, cultural aspects and integrity of the State.

However, while the political consciousness and the active role of political parties and politicians have dwindled and the politicians have strayed from the earlier path, since around the 1980s, the CSOs in the State have always stayed on the right path.

Observing that the concept of unity is much more important in the current days, he said that a transparent approach as well as honest and sincere leaders are a must for bringing unity.

It seems that the various CSOs in the State have many common goals with integrity, peace and development as their main ingredients.

Nonetheless, there are also certain sections which fail to see Manipur as a united land and draw out different maps for the State.

It is at such times, that the CSOs play a central role in erasing the multiple lines/maps drawn in the State and instead build an integral identity, he maintained.

The State needs leaders who can understand the sanctity of the pluralistic society prevailing in the State since time immemorial and see Manipur as a common State.

The time of hypocrisy has ended, so it is not the time for the people and the leaders to be hypocritical, he said.

Joykumar went on to say that money based politics is being set as the latest trend in the State and appealed to the people to stay away from this trend adding the society will soon be devastated if the trend continues further.

Observing two minutes silence and paying tributes to the departed souls of the former members of AMUCO as well as presentation of gifts to the family members of expired members, also marked the main event at the function.