AMUCO president cautions public on non-local settlement
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 02 2023: While it is the democratic right of the public to raise demand to the government for the welfare and safeguard of the common people, it is also necessary for the public to take up self-measures to prevent settlement of non locals in their respective neighbourhoods, said All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) president Ph Nando Luwang.

He made the remark while speaking during the inaugural function of a free eye camp cum distribution of spectacles held at Peaceful Club, Khurai Ningthoubung Leikai on Sunday.

Imphal East District United Clubs' Organisation (IEDUCO) under the aegis of AMUCO organised the camp in association with ophthalmology department, JNIMS, and National Program for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB & IV) National Health Mission, Manipur.

Attending the camp's inauguration as the chief guest, Nando said that the demand for NRC in the state has been a long-standing demand of AMUCO too.

This is an issue concerning the whole state and not for a few communities only.

It is indeed a welcoming step from the part of the government to take up initiatives for constituting a population commission, he said and added that the ultimate demand of the public is not just the population commission but updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) pertaining to the state, through which non-natives could be identified.

In the absence of such measures, the indigenous communities of the state will be overrun by illegal immigrants and non-locals, he cautioned, while drawing attention of the government in this regard.

While there are certain areas where intervention of the government is required, the public should play their part as responsible citizens, he pointed out, while calling upon the indigenous people of the state to contribute their mite in ensuring survival of the natives.

For instance, settlement of non-locals or illegal immigrants in one's locality can be easily prevented by the local residents, he reasoned.

Regarding the free eye camp, Nando said that eye health is an important issue, which, unfortunately, is ignored by many.

There are even many people, who keep delaying eye check-up even when they feel uncomfortable with their eyesight.

The camp is not only to provide free check-up and distribute spectacles to the public but also to create awareness on the importance of eyesight and timely examination to prevent blindness, he said.

Peaceful Club vice-president L Ibomcha presided over the function while JNIMS ophthalmology department assistant professor Dr Rajkumar Victor and IEDUCO president Takhellambam Dwijo attended as guests of honour.

Around 130 people were provided free eye check-up and spectacles apart from distribution of medicines to 80 individuals during the camp.

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