AMUCO recalls the spirit of Aug 4, 1997
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 04 2011: Commemorating the historic mass rally taken out by the people on August 4, 1997 for the protection of of the territorial integrity of Manipur, the 14th Manipur Integrity Day was observed under the aegis of All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) today.

Offering floral tributes at the Integrity Pillar erected at Pologround in memory of all those who laid down their lives for the cause of protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur and a main function held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound were the main highlights of the function attended by leaders of various communities and social organisations.

Delivering the key note address, secretary general of AMUCO Ph Deben observed that the seed of mutual distrust among the different communities living in Manipur has been sown since the day the Government of India and NSCN (IM) started their so-called peace talk on August 1, 1997 .

However, foreseeing the ramification of such peace talks, AMUCO organised a mass rally attended by people from both the hills and the valley on August 4, 1997, and it was followed by a public meeting at Mapal Kangjeibung.

One slogan that everyone in Manipur had on their lips on that day was protection of territorial integrity of Manipur and face any threat collectively in this regard.

Public leaders on the dais during the function

In commemoration of this historic event, AMUCO has been observing Integrity Day for the last 14 years to send out a clear message to all that people of Manipur would not compromise the territorial integrity of Manipur at any cost or under any circumstances, Deben said.

Among other public leaders who spoke at the occasion, president of United Committee Manipur Yumnamcha Dilipkumar observed that the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India should never forget the stand of the people on the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Pointing out that the State Government has come up with concrete evidences to prove that NSCN (IM) was behind the latest bomb blast at Sangakpham Bazar that claimed the lives lives of five people including two young girl students and injured eight others, Dilipkumar maintained that the rebuttal of NSCN (IM) was just a compulsion and the Government of India should also be equally held responsible for criminal activities of NSCN (IM) which has been stepped up after the last visit of Nagaland Chief Minister to Senapati to poison the minds of the people.

People should be aware of who are our real enemies and stand firm against their divisive policies.

We should stop blaming each other and say no to being made the scapegoats, Dilipkumar exhorted.

Coming together of UCM and AMUCO is a good sign and all of us should fight together and not among ourselves, he added.

AMUCO president KT Rahaman observed that the mammoth rally taken out on August 4, 1997 and participated by around 5 lakh people from both the hills and valley areas of tiny Manipur was a show of strength to New Delhi on the issue of territorial integrity of Manipur.

But New Delhi seems not to relent.

The people of Manipur and the State Government should collectively defeat every attempt of New Delhi to break apart Manipur, which has over 2000 years old history of it own by giving free hand to a State which has been formed with some portion of land demarcated from Assam.

AMUCO would never accept extension of ceasefire signed between New Delhi and NSCN (IM) into the territory of Manipur and the hidden agenda of 'alternative arrangement' that has been raised by UNC, Rahaman stated firmly, while asserting that the peace talks between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) has not brought about any peace and it is becoming meaningless in the light of the violence unleased by NSCN (IM) .

ZUCAM president Shyam Daimei, Kuki Inpi Manipur president Thangkhoshei Haokip, advocate Md Ramijuddin, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president L Memchoubi, secretary of Senior Citizens for Society L Sadananda, etc were among others who were present on the dais of the observance.

Our Moreh correspondent adds: The 14th Manipur Integrity Day was also observed under the joint aegis of All Community Development Organisation, Moreh (ACODOM); Meitei Council, Moreh (MCM); Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup, Moreh; Kha-Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup, Moreh; Minority Women Development Society, Moreh and Muslim Women Development Association, Moreh at Ima Kondong Lairembi Haraobung ground today.

The observance was attended by ADC Moreh ( Govt nominee) Ch Pachao, SDC Moreh Ph Ibohal, ACODOM president RK Sanayaima, MCM vice president Th Ibungo Singh, HTC president Jangmang Haokip, MMCM president Md Hussain, Tamil Sangam Moreh general secretary S Ravichandran, IMOHWCO president L Shubash Singh, Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup president Y Jotilla Leima, Kha-Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup president Kh Keina Leima and Irabot Foundation, Manipur president Thounaojam Iboyaima, Muslim Women Development Association (Moreh) president Jubeda Begum and Gorkha Samaj Moreh president Harkajalsingh Shoba as presidium members.

Chairman of COHR Manipur Phunindro Konsam, Advisor of AMUCO Tompok Likmabam, ex-president of Aimol Tribe Union Athoi Baite, assistant news editor of DDK Imphal Chabungbam Birendra Singh, vice president of All Manipur Sports Association Y Kolouyang Maring, etc were among the resource persons who spoke at the occasion, which also witnessed presentation of 5 bags of rice to inmates of Jehova Jire Children Home.

The 14th Manipur Integrity Day was also observed under the joint aegis of AYOCO, ATDUCO and Singa Development Organisation at Yairipok Singa Idgah Ching today.

Attended by representatives of various communities and social organisations, tributes were paid to all those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur at the occasion.