Will not tolerate attempts to divide Manipur: L Nganbi
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 28 2021: The territorial integrity of Manipur cannot be disturbed by anyone.

If anyone has thoughts of separation, they can act on the same beyond the boundaries of the state.

However, such acts will never be tolerated within the state, Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) president in-charge L Fganbi Leima has stated.

The 21st Manipur Integrity & Solidarity Day was observed jointly by AMKIL and National Identity Protection Council (NIPCO) at the conference hall of AMSU head office here as well as in Bishnupur and Jiribam districts on Tuesday.

Speaking at the AMSU office event, Nganbi Leima, who is also the chairperson of the Observance Committee, recalled that Manipur, which used to be a kingdom for over 2000 years, came under the British rule and shortly after was annexed to India after the then king Maharaj Bodhchandra was lured to Shillong and forcefully made to sign on the merger agreement.

At present, Manipur's identity is that of an Indian state.

She continued that the state witnessed several public movements after the government of India and the NSCN (IM) inked the ceasefire agreement and attempted to disintegrate the state, including other bids to establish a unique history of the Naga community in the state, Nagalim establishment issue and various others.

At that time, many women organisations joined forces and formed AMKIL and NIPCO.

On September 28, 2000, the biggest rally in South East Asia was taken out in the state against the "atrocities" of the Union government, which later went on to be observed as Solidarity and Integrity Day till date.

Nganbi then said that the movements checkmated the government of India from plotting to disintegrate the state.

Although various disintegration campaigns continue to persist, people have always stood firm till date, she said.

Delivering the keynote speech, NIPCO president and Observance Committee working chairman Th Manihar said that since signing of the Naga ceasefire agreement on July 25, 1997 and coming into effect on August 1 the same year, the centre has been continuing its communal rhetoric under the guise of peace policy.

Owing to this, disharmony has crept in amongst the different communities of the state, such as giving courage to NSCN (IM) to continue its demand for Greater Nagaland.

This led to the inception of AMKIL and NIPCO, he added.

"Despite repeated requests, the government of India refuses to reveal the contents of the Framework Agreement (FA) signed with NSCN (IM).

Although the PM, the Home minister, national and state leaders have repeatedly emphasised that the agreement does not affect the interests of Manipur, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs mentioned in its Report-213 of the government's plans to implement Sixth Schedule in Manipur to pave the way for implementation of Article 371-A in favour of Nagaland and Naga Accord.

This could lead to formation of Naga Territorial Council or Naga Regional Council in Manipur in the near future," he cautioned.

Additionally, the government has been joining hands with various Kuki groups under the pretext of SoO, thereby allowing the conduct of negotiation of Kuki Administrative Territory at state level.

This is also another huge threat to the territorial integrity of the state, he added.

Manihar then said that Manipur was granted statehood in 1972 and Article 371-C was incorporated in the Constitution, with provisions for constitution of a state Assembly consisting of members from the valley and hill areas of the state via the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), which in turn has threatened the bond between the hills and the valley.

Under this, the ADCs are given additional powers, thereby allowing the HAC members to make demands for a separate state boldly and further promote communal discord.

Furthermore, India continues to give away the state's land to Myanmar bit by bit.

The international fencing is carried deep into Manipur's territory instead of being done at the exact boundary lines.

For India, maintaining its relationship with Myanmar is more important than safeguarding the territory of Manipur, he contended.

Manihar then urged the members of all 39 communities in the state to unite and bring about a combined movement so as to protect and safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur.

The observance was attended by IMSCOM president Momsokom Bapui and UPF former president BM Yaima Shah as presidium members, while Imphal Review of Arts and Politics executive editor RK Bobichand was the resource person.

Under the aegis of AMKIL and NIPCO, Apunba Nupi Lup (ANUL), Bishnupur also observed the 21st Manipur Integrity and Solidarity Day 2021 at its office at Bishnupur town on Tuesday.

The programme was attended by ANUL president Lourembam Pramo, UPF Bishnupur president Namoijam Dinesh, AMSU Bishnupur president Khangembam Saining and United Committee Manipur (UCM) former president Sunil Karam as the presidium members.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Karam cautioned that the inability of the state and Union governments to punish the culprits involved in the murder of Athuan Abonmai will trigger massive public agitation.

All the communities in the state should stand together for the integrity of Manipur, otherwise in a few years' time, the indigenes of the state may go extinct, he added.

Sunil Karam further stated that if the government does not arrest the murderers of Abonmai at the earliest they will extend support to the agitation being launched to get justice.

'Manipur Integrity and Solidarity Day' was also observed on Tuesday at the conference hall of JIMPAL, Jiribam.

Organised jointly by Jiri Meira Paibi Apunba Lup (JIMPAL), Jiri Development Organisation (JDO), AMSU Jiribam unit, CADA Jiri and Pari Puri Athouba Ningshing Lup, the observance function held under the aegis of Joint Committee of Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) and National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) was attended by JDO president N Sadananda Meitei, AMSU Jiribam advisor B Sarat Sharma, Pari Puri Athouba Ningshing Lup chairman Dr Arunkumar Mangang and JIMPAL vice-president Atom Ashangbi Devi as presidium members.

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