CIRCA announces month-long awakening campaign
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 15 2015: Coalition for Indigenes Rights Campaign (CIRCA) Manipur has announced a month-long agitation starting from September 21 to be carried out in various parts of the State against the forcible signing of merger agreement.

Ningthouja Lancha, spokesperson CIRCA during a media interaction session at Manipur Press Club, said that the coalition was formed on August 21 during a public convention against the backdrop of unrest in the State particularly in the wake of public protest agitation demanding a legislation for the protection of indigenous people and signing of Peace Accord by NSCN-IM and Govt of India on August 3 .

Amongst others, a resolution was adopted to insist the Govt to India to recognise the current unrest in Manipur as a fallout of the 'merger agreement' signed between Maharajah of Manipur and Govt of India, he said.

He said that the merger agreement is considered the core issue above all the other issues confronting the State.

Ningthouja Lancha also said that if the people of the State want to bring peace and harmony in the State, they must stand united against the core issue, ie, the Merger agreement.

CIRCA will go to every village and hold talks with the locals and the community leaders to spread awareness regarding the issue and clear all misunderstandings among the various communities of the State.

So far, CIRCA has already carried out awareness campaign by going at their respective places as an awakening campaign and covered various places.

No part of the Hill areas is covered by the campaign yet due to the present public unrest, he said.

The awakening campaign which is slated to end on Sept 20 is anticipated to evoke positive response.

From September 21, the day when the merger agreement was signed, till October 15, the day internal administration of Manipur was transferred to Delhi, CIRCA will carry out various forms of agitation including sit in protest, public discussion, meeting, Lancha said.

The movement against the merger agreement will be launched by the people at various localities in a decentralised manner, he said.

Ningthouja Lancha also said that in the last 65 years after the forcible annexation of Manipur with India, various communities living in the State from time immemorial are divided.

CIRCA will hold meetings with community leaders to thrash the reasons for the fear and insecurity feeling harboured by various sections of the people.

Formation of ethnic council with representative each from all communities is a necessity, he said.

Paosing Golmei, co-convener of CIRCA said that the misunderstandings among the people and the fear among the various sections of people is due to lack of transparency in the frame works peace agreement.

He also appealed to all not to spread rumours and propaganda regarding the unrest in the State which might cause communal tension among different communities.

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