Manipur conflict attack on indigenes by outsiders: Haopu Kom
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 30 2024:
Kom Tribe Organisation - Valley (KTO-V) president Haopu Kom has said that the conflict in the state is not between Meetei and Kuki but an attack on indigenous people by outsiders.
Kom is not a Kuki tribe, but an indigenous community of Manipur and will stand for the state's unity and integrity, he asserted.
Haopu shared his views at the 128th birth anniversary of Hijam Irabot organised by Manipur People's Front (MPF) at New Checkon, Imphal on Monday.
Pambei-led UNLF assistant secretary (human resource development) Thangjam Ningtamba and MPF president L Chamba attended the tribute event as chief guest and president respectively while Federation of Civil Society Organisation (FOCS) vice-president BM Yaima Shah, Universal Mothers' Organisation president Moirangthem Sorojini Leima, Meitei Pangal Council Manipur president Haji Arafat Ali and M Haopu Kom were the guests of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Haopu Kom pointed out that Kom people have been living with dignity as Kom.
They were born and raised in Manipur and will contribute in protecting the state.
The current crisis is an attack on indigenous people by outsiders and it necessitates unity of all the indigenous communities.
It is high time the indigenous communities of Manipur wake up from slumber and understand the gravity of the situation unless they want to find themselves in a precarious situation, he added.
In his address, Thangjam Ningtamba called upon the people to uphold the culture, tradition and social code of conduct as a Manipuri in order to foster unity and a better future.
Socialist Students' Union of Manipur (SSUM) also observed the day at Trade and Expo Centre, Lamboi Khong-nangkhong relief camp on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, SSUM president S Yaima noted grievances of the displaced people as they wait for peace to return and resettle and restart their lives.
He also urged all concerned to provide free hostel facilities to displaced students, and drew attention of the government for a special scheme to provide scholarship for such students.
SSUM distributed exercise books to 93 displaced students from Thangmeiband relief camp and 165 from Lam-boi Khongnangkhong relief camp.
Taking the opportunity, he drew attention of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur to enhance quality of textbooks it is prescribing.
Political activist Sapamcha Kangleipal recalled the values of Hijam Irabot and called upon the people to visit the displaced people in relief camps, those in the red zones instead of just observing the day and paying floral tributes to the late leader.
Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) also observed the day with a State Level Open Debating Competition at the conference hall of MU Central Library.
MU dean of students' welfare Prof M Premjit, registrar Prof W Chandbabu, MUSU president Nongthombam Suraj, former dean of students' welfare Prof RK Hemakumar, head of ancient history & archaeology Prof Oinam Ranjit, and head of library & information science Prof Ch Ibohal attended the event as presidium members.
People's Protection Committee (PPC) Konthoujam also observed the day along with a tribute ceremony to martyrs, who have been killed in the current conflict, at its office premises on Monday.
PPC advisor Konthoujam Ranbir, president Chingshubam Manitomba, secretary Konthoujam Ibochouba, Konthoujam Meira Paibi Lup convenor Konthoujam Anandabi Leima, and co-convenor Konthoujam Memcha attended the event among others.
RPI-A also observed the day at its Keishampat office with the party's national secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam leading others in offering floral tributes to Hijam Irabot.
Similar observance functions were organised at Naoremthong Khumanthem Leikai by local clubs and Khurai Ayangpalli by Youth Social Club cum Information Centre by conducting different activities including cleanliness drives, recitation and quiz competitions among others.
Lions Club of Imphal City in association with Imphal Municipal Corporation and Manipur Fire Service observed the day along with a cleanliness drive at the south extension of BT Park.
The observance was organised under the aegis of Lions International.
Two signboards with message for maintaining cleanliness were also unveiled at the event.
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