Civil bodies express concern, appeal UNC to lift blockade
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 19 2016: Civil society organisations of the State and outside have expressed concern with the volatile situation prevalent in the State.

The CSOs have appealed to all concerned to lift the economic blockade and counter economic blockade in the larger interest of the people.

The Mao Union, Imphal, has urged both the hill and the valley people to refrain from further violence.

The union, in a statement signed by its president and publicity secretary today has condemned the violence and arsons along the National Highways.

Mao Union, Imphal, urged the State Government to take up every possible step to end the violence and also to solve the current issue amicably.

The Shillong Manipuri Students' Union have also appealed to the UNC to withdraw the economic blockade and take up democratic steps to resolve the matter.

The union president Huidrom Shangba in a statement appealed to the Government of Manipur to take up steps to bring normalcy and ensure unity among the ethnic communities of Manipur.

"We would like to re-iterate the historical fact that Manipur belongs to the People of Manipur.

Manipur is a plural, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual democratic State.

The Government of Manipur must take both short term and long term action to educate the people of Manipur this historical realities and challenges.

The demand raised by different ethnic groups must be democratically discussed and resolved.

No violence must be used by both Government and the people", the union president said.

He has further appeal to the UNC to withdraw the economic blockade and take up democratic steps to resolve the issue.

"Economic blockade cannot be, must not be and will not be a democratic means to negotiate with the Government.

We further appeal to the people of Manipur who are organizing counter blockades to press the Government to take up steps instead of making the innocent people suffer.

We condemn the recent attacks on State forces and also the organizations or groups who try to take actions in communal way.

Let us not be a victim of externally engineered social, political and cultural divides", he urged.

May peace and unity prevail in the state, Shangba wished.

Kabui Development Club (KDC), Yurembam Kabui Awang Leikai and All Meitei Christian Art and Culture Observation Council (AMCACOC) have also appealed to all the concerned to immediately lift the indefinite economic blockade and counter economic blockade in the larger interest of the people.

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