'AMUCO against communal policy, action'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 04 2021: Remembering the historic mass rally taken out to protect territorial integrity of Manipur on August 4, 1997, All Manipur United Clubs' Organization (AMUCO) observed the 24th Manipur Integrity Day on Wednesday.

After paying floral tributes at the Integrity Pillar near Imphal Pologround, the main observance function of Integrity Day was held at Kwakeithel Akham Leikai community hall.

Addressing the gathering, president Ph Nando Luwang said that AMUCO was well aware of the secret agenda of the government of India behind the ceasefire announced in the initial phase of the peace talks with the NSCN-IM.

During that time, AMUCO clearly placed to the people that the ceasefire agreement signed between government of India and NSCN-IM would threaten territorial integrity of Manipur after sometime instead of bringing peace and the people too acknowledged it.

To demonstrate firm resolve of the people beforehand that the cease fire should not threaten the territorial integrity of Manipur and no such action should be taken in future, AMUCO organised a massive rally in Imphal on August 4, 1997 .

A public meeting held after the massive rally arrived at a concrete resolution not to allow distortion of territorial integrity of Manipur and the day is being observed every year since then as 'Manipur Integrity Day', Nando said.

According to Nando, the mass rally and public meet entrusted AMUCO to shoulder the main responsibility of safeguarding territorial integrity of Manipur.

Taking the responsibility seriously, the organisation has been facing and voicing against any attempt to distort territorial integrity of Manipur particularly the nefarious policy of India.

However, the venom spewed by the government of India for a prolonged period to create hatred among indigenous communities is yet to be absolved by communities settling in Manipur and hence it is time for removing this venom to bring peace, harmony and integrity among communities.

On numerous occasions, the government of India took several decisions including some which created apprehension among the people and tension between different communities thereby causing anxiety among the people for a long time.

To bring an end to this, it is time for the people of the state to think deeply and work together, Nando said, adding that people of Manipur have lost time, strength and properties while countering divisive game of India for a long time.

He also appealed to the people not to fall into India's repeated attempts of reducing Manipur society into a beggar but to wake up and realise the threat.

As a result of falling into the divisive trap laid by the government of India, there had been accusation of one community by another and even communal clashes had occurred and hence it is time to sit together and hold talks to share and understand problems together and accordingly help each other, the AMUCO leader said and called for putting more attention towards bringing peace and harmony among different communities.

While asserting that territorial integrity of Manipur can never be challenged by concocted history and documents as being attempted by some vested interest people/community, Nando appealed all the indigenous communities of Manipur not to project any history which may threaten integrity and create hatred and conflict among communities.

AMUCO never encourages communal policy and is always ready to fight such policies, he said and further appealed people not to upload communal post in social media.

AMUCO in coordination with the people will fittingly fight communal thoughts and actions which could threaten integrity of Manipur, Nando asserted.

The observance held with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocol was also attended by Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president Longjam Memchoubi and AMMDO president FM Manawar Ali as presidium members.

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