'End proxy war' cry rings loud on Manipur Integrity Day
Historic rally of 1997 commemorated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 04 2026: The All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) today observed the 29th Manipur Integrity Day with a vociferous call to end the Government of India's alleged proxy war in Manipur immediately.

Commemorating the historic mammoth rally taken out at Imphal on August 4, 1997, AMUCO observed the 29th Manipur Integrity Day today.

Sensing possible infringement upon the integrity of Manipur by the ceasefire agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN(IM) on August 1, 1997 a huge mass rally was taken out at Imphal and it sent an unmistakable message to the whole world that the integrity of Manipur is sacrosanct and non-negotiable, said AMUCO president Sorokhaibam Sanjoy.

'End proxy war' cry rings loud on Manipur Integrity Day

The commemorative function started with offering of floral tributes at the Manipur Integrity Pillar at Pologround, Imphal.

Later, a public function participated by a large number of people from different communities was held at Kwakeithel Akham Leikai community hall where people paid homage to all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives protecting the integrity of Manipur.

Speaking at the 29th Manipur Integrity Day observed under the banner "Let's live together, let's struggle collectively and let's progress collectively", AMUCO president S Sanjoy said that the Government of India has been subjecting the people of Manipur to systematic repression over the last many years.

Not satisfied with practising communal politics for decades aimed at creating communal division and animosity in the State, the Government of India launched a proxy war in 2023, he alleged.

There have been numerous incidents of atrocities, including massacres and rapes committed by Indian armed forces since 1980s.The Govt of India launched a proxy war in 2023 by supplying weapons and giving training to its proxy forces, Sanjoy alleged.

Calling for an immediate end to the Government of India's proxy war, the AMUCO president warned that the people of Manipur would be constrained to launch another strong civil movement if the proxy war is not put to an end at the earliest.

"There is no meaning in staying alive when our beloved motherland Manipur ceases to exist.

To us, Manipur is paramount and above everything else", he said.

Sanjoy said that AMUCO will always stand firm and committed to protect the integrity of Manipur.

Saying that people know very well who engineered the violent crisis which broke out on May 3, 2023, Sanjoy asserted that AMUCO will continue to work together with all communities and ethnic groups without any distinction to safeguard the integrity of Manipur.

AMUCO will work on removing the so-called buffer zones and restoration of free movement of all communities across the length and breadth of the State, he said.

During earlier meetings with officials of the Government of India, AMUCO made it very clear that India will break apart first if New Delhi continues with its plot to fragment Manipur, Sanjoy alleged.

Asserting that the Government of India did nothing to contain and bring an end to the more than three years old violence, he said that the Government of India would have done everything to contain and resolve the crisis if it happened in any State of mainland India.

He added that AMUCO has been keeping a close watch on every move of the Government of India.

Kabui Mothers Association president Atongpi Kameipui called upon all communities to understand the underlying meaning of "Manipur Sana Leipak, Chingna Koina Panshaba, Chingmina Koina Panngakpa" and work collectively to safeguard the integrity of Manipur and its territorial boundary.

The mammoth rally taken out on August 4, 1997 under the aegis of AMUCO did not do anything which could have offended Naga people living at Imphal, she said.

Atongpi Kameipui also acknowledged the pivotal role being shouldered by AMUCO over the decades to protect the integrity of Manipur.

Maring Uparup Assembly vice-president Saka Maring called upon all the communities to foster communal harmony and work collectively to protect the integrity of Manipur after identifying those elements scheming to disintegrate Manipur.

All Manipur Meitei Pangal Clubs Organisation president Mereimayum Salamat called upon all to reflect on how effective the slogan and verbal preaching for integrity is.

Salamat said that the Meitei Pangal community will always stand firm for the integrity of Manipur.

Kom Union Manipur president Boyes Kom said that no force on earth can disintegrate Manipur as long as the different communities of the State live together with cordiality.

In his keynote address, AMUCO general secretary Pratap Leishangthem appealed to all CSOs and people of both the valley and the hills to shed all forms of communal politics.

It's time to fight the real enemy collectively, he asserted.

Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president Soraisam Memcha and All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association president W Ibema Chanu too spoke at the function.