Integrity Protection Day observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27, 2012: ACOAM-Lup,Kangleipak celebrated 'Integrity Protection Day' today in commemoration of the Centre's decision to delete 'without territorial limit' clause from the Bangkok agreement reached between the NSCN-IM and Govt of India.

The celebration function was held at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound with the Lup's working president Chandramani Khumancha", its, advisor H Kula and Kanglamei president Y Leirikleima as the presidium members.

Delivering the keynote address, Lup secretary general Sanjit Soraisham recounted that sustained spontaneous movement by the people of Manipur against the June 14, 2001 Bangkok Declaration between the Naga rebel group and Government of India, which entailed that the ceasefire agreement will have no boundary limit, ultimately led to the Centre withdrawing the clause 'without territorial limit' from the ceasefire agreement on July 27 the same year.

To commemorate victory of the people of Manipur over the sinister plot to divide the State on ethnic lines, the Lup has been celebrating the occasion as 'Integrity Protection Day', said Sanjit.

Speaking at the occasion, United Committee Manipur president Y Nabachandra reminded that inspite of 18 persons sacrificing their lives for the protection of Manipur's emotional and territorial integrity during the people's movement the battle rages on as the ongoing dialogue between the Centre and NSCN (IM) continues to pose threat.

He also urged Acoam-Lup and other 1ike-minded civil society organisations to remain alert and work with unison to effectively tackle all adversary forces.

Nabachandra further suggested that all the organisations working to protect Manipur's territorial integrity need to constantly reassess the threat perception and chalk out effective strategies to defeat sinister designs of destructive elements.

In his address to the gathering, MAPI Council secretary M Bimol pointed out that with the ongoing parleys between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) likely to persist for some more years civil society organisations of Manipur should be ready to face all eventualities in a unified manner.

Maintaining that while the common people had been at the receiving end of any movement launched for upholding the territorial and emotional integrity of Manipur the State Government has been claiming credit for people of Manipur remaining as a single entity inspite of diverse ethnicity, Bimol cautioned that � the people should be aware of the threats from both internal and external forces.

Highlighting circumstances that ultimately led to the erstwhile NDA Government deleting the 'without territorial limit clause from the ceasefire agreement, PAN DAM president Y Dilipkumar said in the aftermath of the June 18 incident, an 11 member civil society delegation headed to New Delhi on the invitation of the then Prime Minister AB Vajpayee.

Following the meeting between the delegate members and Vajpayee, the latter assured that the situation in Manipur would be deliberated with Chief Ministers of North Eastern States before declaring the Centre's stand on July 27,2001 with regard to the controversial ceasefire clause, said Dilipkumar.

Asking both the civil societies and the general public not to relent from their firm stand of protecting Manipur's territorial integrity, he also observed that almost every year around June and July months certain elements hold the people to ransom by enforcing protracted bandhs and economic blockades on the National Highways to air their frustration over the seemingly endless talks between the Centre and NSCN (IM).

Dilipkumar also opined that demands for 'alternative arrangement' and 'Supra State' aremerely manifestations of the-NSCN-IM's intention to break up Manipur.

The presidium members and other speakers honouring supreme sacrifices made by the people of Manipur to uphold the State's unity and territorial integrity also called upon the masses to be ready for tackling devilish intention of disruptive elements.

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