UCM, AMUCO call for unity ahead of June 18 anniv
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 15 2016: The All Manipur United Clubs Orga-nisation (AMUCO) and the United Committee Manipur (UCM) have urged the public the cease work on June 18 to take part at the Great June Uprising, Unity Day observa-tion and pledge for the unity and integrity of Manipur.

In a statement, the Observation Committee of the 15th Great June Uprising, Unity Day on behalf of the two civil society bodies urged the masses to pay floral tributes to the martyrs at Kekrupat from 5 am to 6 pm on the day.

As in past years, other ritual ceremonies and a people's convention would also be held at the venue, it added.

UCM and AMUCO said that Manipur used to be an independent, sovereign country among the South East Asian nations.

The diverse ethnic communities of the land have been coexisting peacefully, helping and sharing with the others.

After annexation by India on October 15, 1949, Manipur lost the right to self determination and Manipuri people have been living under subjugation.

In the name of democracy, Government of India has been conspiring to break up Mani-pur by driving in wedges between different communities.

A glaring example is the Government of India's challenge to the territorial integri- ty of Manipur in the process of a peace talk with an insurgent outfit, the two CSOs said.

Saying that the thunderous sound of the massive June Uprising is still echoing in the ears of the people and the gunshots fired indiscriminately to suppress the agita- tion is reverberating even today, UCM and AMUCO said that June 18, 2001 reminds all that the people can give up their lives for the motherland, for the territory of the State and for unity.

Keeping the heart rending 'uprising' in heart, AMUCO and UCM, to safeguard the unity and the integrity of the state and to perpetually remind the posterity, have been observing the day as 'The Great June Uprising, Unity Day' every year in respect of the brave hearts.

It has become imperative for the people of Manipur to prepare with a shared understanding to face the challen- ges inevitably come along with the fast paced globalization and India's Look East Policy.

There seem to be no prospects and hopes for the econo- mically backward Manipuris except as 'coolies' in the scenario.

The alarming rate of illegal influx of foreigners/ outsiders is threatening to outnumber and gradually wipe out the indigenous population, the two bodies said.

But the irony of the situation is that the puppet admi- nistrators/rulers are turning a blind eye to the menacing problem, doing nothing, it alleged.

"We are not for a total ban on the entry of foreigners/ outsiders but the regulation of their entries and stays and their return under rules/laws, the absence of which creates unwanted, ugly problems.

Its time now for all of us to try to meet these serious challenges instead of indulging in creating communal divides between big and small communities", the two bodies said.

The people of Manipur welcome the permanent settlement of insurgency issues for a peaceful life.

But if the Government of India tries to use some insurgent outfits as tools to break the unity and integrity of Manipur, continue its conspiracy to instigate ethnic cleansings in the name of counter insurgency operations, the people of Manipur would stand against it, the two bodies said.

This is the collective stand of the people.

Manipuris want to coexist with other communities peacefully, have been living so for centuries and continue to do so.

Today, the voice for unity, the decision to live together with other communities, of our kinsmen/ blood brothers settled in the hills are tremendously strengthened.

"Let us beware of those who indulge in factionalism, those who can not comprehend the essence of unity, those who work for parochial, communal and limited geographical interests, those leaders who see their selfish ends only; people should beware of them.

Let all the communities living in the state be very vigilant to keep intact the unity of all and the integrity of Manipur", the two bodies said.

Govt of India is still threatening the boundaries of Manipur.

AMUCO and UCM will never be silent spectators to the efforts to break up Manipur just to appease a few leaders of the NSCN (IM) .

Now the unrealistic 'Supra State Body' or the 'Alternative Arrangement' or any other internal administrative arrangement based on ethnic line are all anti people, fully loaded with hidden agenda will never be taken lightly by the people of Manipur.

The boundaries of Manipur drawn by the noble blood of our ancestors can never be infringed upon and violated.

This is the determined stand of the Manipuris.

The secret agenda of the government of India to flare up communal fires, brew ethnic clashes and purging to weaken us need to be closely observed.

It is time now to have a consensual understanding of all these that harms us and strengthens the enemy.

Unreasonable and Utopian demands like 'Greater Nagalim', 'Kuki State' and other communal demands will create a historic catastrophe only; coexistence is the only determinant of a good future, the two CSOs said.

On the other hand, the existence of the liberation movements in the region cannot be taken lightly.

It has become a great necessity and requirement towards a permanent solution to the problem.

The situation is now becoming more serious after the recently signed framework agreement between Govt of India & NSCN (IM) where everything is kept aloof of the contents of the agreement.

Above this, the inability or lack of seriousness of our politicians have added to the level of apprehensiveness and our political uncertainty.

The constant threat to our territorial integrity still looms large upon us.

There can be no compromise in any form so as to disintegrate our polity in the name of development and administration as mentioned above.

So as to bring forth a congenial political atmosphere, the Govt.of India should instead focus or removing draconian laws like AFSPA which is now imposed in this region without any delay so as to end the discrimination to the people of this region, the two bodies added.

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