UCM decries Govt's inaction on Feb 23 arson at its office
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 02 2024:
The United Committee Manipur (UCM) has strongly con-demned the Government for not taking up any action in connection with the burning of its office.
When the office at Lamphelpat was burnt down on February 23, a week ago, the Government and law enforcement agencies have not yet identified and arrested the responsible persons till today, said UCM president Joychandra Kon-thoujam during a sit-in organised at the office plot today.
Stating historically important documents kept at the office were burnt, Joychandra compared the incident to "burning of Puya" .
Joychandra said the United Committee Manipur has been a champion of the people and it has fought for safeguarding Manipur's integrity.
The UCM, he said, was formed as an apex body in response to the ceasefire agreement "without territorial limit" which was signed between NSCN-IM and Government of India in Bangkok in 2001 .
"UCM has been in the forefront in all major issues which threaten Manipur's integrity.
What has UCM done to the people that was so wrong that its office was burnt down?" he asked, vehemently condemning the burning down of the office.
Joychandra further stated that UCM's office was also the temporary office of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), which has been facing the nearly 10-month-old crisis head on.
There were many books and important documents which were related to the current crisis and border issues.
All those documents, which were the properties of the people, have been burnt along with the office, he said.
Joychandra said the UCM was not given any opportunity to clarify on short- comings or lapses, if any, on its part and its position before the office was burnt down.
He added that the individuals or groups concerned who had burnt down the office should clarify the reason for taking such extreme action.
Puya was burnt in 1729.Next, the Central Library was burnt down in 2005.Now, the office of the UCM has been burnt down.
"What benefits does burning the office of UCM give?" Joychandra asked.
The office was burnt on February 23, but so far the Government has not identified and arrested the persons responsible for the incident, he said, condemning the State Government.
The Government, he said, must not remain silent when important historical documents, which are properties of the State and the people, have been burnt.
"Infighting among the same blood will not give us any gains, other than making the enemy applaud with joy.
Let's come together and work unitedly.
Working together consciously by putting the interests of the people first will be a wise step," Joychandra said.
Stating that the UCM is waiting for clarification from the individuals or groups who had burnt down the office, Joychandra opined and asserted that "all of us should understand who the real enemies are, and unite to face them collectively" .