Centre advised to abandon divisive policies
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 18 2024: In honour of the 18 people who laid down their lives during the course of public uprising against inclusion of the controversial phrase 'without territorial limit' in the cease fire agreement signed between the government of India and NSCN-IM on June 14, 2001, the 23rd The Great June Uprising Unity Day was observed at the Kekrupat Martyrs' Memorial complex, here, on Tuesday.

The observance organised by the Great June Uprising Unity Day Observation Committee formed by United Committee Manipur (UCM) and All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), commenced with a 'Pena Yakairol', a wake-up song, and flying the flag at half-mast amid general salute by members of Huyen Lalong Thang Ta Association, followed by offering of floral tributes led by UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam and AMUCO president Nando Luwang.

Family members and relatives of the 18 martyrs, leaders of various communities, student bodies, women organisations and elected representatives also participated paying the floral tribute.

Speaking on the occasion, Joy-chandra pointed out that the observance is held every year to remind the masses about the steely resolve of all who joined the mass movement for safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur on June 18, 2001 and subsequent days.

Noting that in-spite of the sacrifices made, the state remains in the grip of tension and threat to the territorial integrity continues, he asserted that the people are prepared to bluntly oppose any move by the government of India to divide Manipur, with even greater determination than in the past.

While advising those helming the affairs in New Delhi to abandon the idea of balkanising Manipur, Joy-chandra cautioned that if India makes further attempts to divide the state, then the people might demand restoration of the pre-merger status.

While asserting that foreigners cannot rule Manipur as long the indigenous people live in the state, he demanded authorities concerned to implement National Register of Citizens (NRC) to identify illegal immigrants in Manipur.

Additionally, Kuki armed groups which are flouting the SoO ground rules and abetting conflict in Manipur should be held accountable by the government, along with revoking the controversial SoO agreement, Joy-chandra stated.

He then deplored government forces of hounding and arresting village volunteers who are only safeguarding the territory of Manipur against the attack by illegal immigrants while giving a free hand to the Kuki narco-terrorists who are responsible for the crisis.

The conflict in Manipur is being orchestrated by the central government, central forces, and narco-terrorists, he maintained and called upon the indigenous communities to unite and resist such disruptive elements.

Expressing that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is bereft of the gravity of the situation in Manipur, Joychandra noted that regardless of the home minister claiming that the conflict would be resolved after the Lok Sabha polls, the same is now afflicting Jiribam.

In his address, Committee vice chairman Ph Nando Luwang stated that the people of Manipur are united against attempt by the government of India to divide Manipur through nefarious divisive agenda, inciting tension and unrest among the people.

People gather every year at Kekrupat to oppose such divisive attempts.

After failing to disintegrate Manipur by instigating one community, the government of India is now conspiring to destroy Manipur using the Kuki community which is akin to low grade politics, he said.

Regarding Amit Shah chairing a high-level meeting on Monday, he opined that ending the conflict in the state would be impossible unless poppy plantations are effectively prohibited, influx of Kuki Zo terrorists from Myanmar addressed, and illegal immigrants identified.

While hoping that the meeting will help the central government to chalk up effective measures, Nando, however, lamented that officials present at the meeting were seemingly kept in the dark about the ground reality.

While asserting that it would be unfair to label armed youth as perpetrators of violence when the centre is neglecting its responsibilities, he pointed out that projecting everyone with arms in poor light would be unjust.

As village volunteers took up the arms to defend their villages from attacks by armed Kuki militants, the government cannot classify these village volunteers as breakers of the law.

Nando also said that the conflict in Manipur is not an ethnic violence but an external aggression, and it is the duty of the central government to control the situation from worsening.

Just as the government of India responded to attacks by Pakistan-backed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, the central government should do the same against the Kuki-Zo militants from Myanmar targeting Manipur.

The centre should consider it as external aggression and a threat to the national security, he maintained.

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