Imphal, July 09: United Committee, Manipur (UCM), an apex body of AMUCO, AMSU, AMKIL, NIPCO, IPSA and UPF which have been spearheading the agitation against the proposed Indo-Naga ceasefire extension here, today declared that the people�s democratic protests will continue till the NSCN(IM0 ceasefire is totally withdrawn from the territory of Manipur.

Reacting to the assurance and commitment given by the PM for review of the ceasefire agreement including the words �without territorial limits� , the three UCM convenor, Udoy Thongam, Sapamcha Jadumani and Kh Loken jointly announced the UCM�s stand for continuing the agitation till the final goal is achieved at a press meet today.

They said that the people are confused even by the word �review� itself.

They said a large section of the people are still apprehensive the announcement which came after the Prime Minister talked with the MLAs and MPs of Manipur, was a diversionary tactics, adding it was hence all the more imperative to keep the stir on until the nature of the review is clear.

They asserted that the Union minister of state for home affairs, ID Swami had already been briefed about the goal of the ongoing agitation in writing.

They also said if the review leads to a positive outcome, the UCM shall welcome it.

Otherwise, the people will continue to oppose it.

The UCM also welcomed any form of democratic movement during the ongoing agitation for achieving the total withdrawal of the NSCN (IM) ceasefire from the state.

They also dismissed the alleged plan they were hatching to intensify the agitation a mere rumor and appealed that nothing should deviate the movement from the present democratic nature and its goal.

Clarifying on the charge that the agitation has been backed by some valley-based under ground outfits, they pointed out that UGs have been demanding sovereignty and the people�s movement has been opposing the ceasefire extension.

The two causes are different and there cannot be any link between the UGs� demand and the present agitation.

However, some vested interest has given such wrong information for the sole purpose of sabotaging the genuine democratic movement of the people here, they added.

The UCM has also received reports from the 25 communities out of 29 communities living in the state they oppose the proposed ceasefire extension.

They further said that UCM�s six constituent organisations have been working for the emotional integration of all communities living in the state.

They however, said the UCM is yet to reach out to the communities living in Nagaland.

They further disclosed that the work for the emotional integration will be given more emphasis after the goal of total withdrawal of ceasefire extension is achieved.

They also pointed out that although MLAs and MPs of the state had been boycotted, their family members can not be looked upon as enemies and their properties shall not be targeted.

While appealing to the state police and other security forces not to obstruct the ongoing democratic movement of the people, they recalled that the excesses of the security forces resulted in the loss of 15 innocent lives, and injuries to dozens including women and children.

Comment