DMCC commemorates June 18 online, calls for unified action
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 20 2025: Delhi Meetei Co-ordinating Committee (DMCC) organised an online meeting on June 18 to mark the Great June Uprising and Unity Day 2025, drawing participation from state natives residing in Delhi, Manipur, the United Kingdom, Australia, Europe, and various Indian states.

In a statement, DMCC informed that during the virtual event held from 8:30 pm to 11 pm on Thursday, participants paid tributes to the 18 martyrs who laid down their lives during the 2001 uprising to defend the unity and integrity of Manipur.

The meeting reflected on the historical context of the June 18 Uprising, which was widely regarded as a spontaneous mass movement opposing the Government of India's decision during the BJP-led regime that was seen as aligning with the political goals of armed groups active in the Northeast.

Speakers recalled that the uprising, during which 18 persons lost their lives, was not marked by any inter-community violence, asserting that the Meetei communities did not target any groups associated with the armed factions engaged in dialogue with the Centre, and the concerned groups did not attack Meeteis.

Instead, the people of Manipur, including civil society organisations and student unions, stood united in resisting what they perceived as a divisive move by the Government of Indian.

A key moment was the mass meeting at Heinoukhongnembi Mandop, Kwakeithal, which called for a three-day general strike from June 16 to 18, 2001 .

In the online observance, DMCC expressed deep concern over what it called an even more serious existential threat in the state.

The discussion focused on continuing attacks on Meeteis by Kuki armed militants who are under Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Government of India and are reportedly protected by a particular central force.

It was alleged that these armed groups were originally formed with the tacit support of Indian intelligence agencies, given their lack of past confrontations with state or central forces.

Despite the Manipur Legislative Assembly's unanimous resolution to abrogate the SoO agreement, the Central Government continues to maintain it, according to the statement.

"This continued protection has raised fears among the people of Manipur that there is a wider political agenda to divide the state by pushing for a separate administration or Union Territory," it added.

The meeting culminated with a strong call to action, with DMCC resolving to appeal to all elected MLAs of Manipur to resign en masse in protest against what it described as New Delhi's disregard for the state's legislative resolutions.

The committee accused ruling party MLAs, in particular, of failing to protect the lives and freedoms of the people and exhibiting "complete incompetence" during the time of crisis.

Participants also urged leading civil society organisations, including AMUCO and UCM, to go beyond symbolic observances and reinvigorate their joint leadership, as they had during the 2001 uprising.

A collective call was made to all stakeholders defending Manipur to unite in a common struggle against what they described as "Churanthaba", a term used in the meeting to refer to the Government of India, and its alleged ploy to disintegrate the state.

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