UCM to launch movement on State's territory
Source: The Sangai Express / NNN

Imphal, September 01 2013: Under the banner of United Committee, Manipur (UCM), a mass movement is likely to be launched soon in Manipur on the issue of the 'territorial integrity of Manipur' .

This was recommended in a one-day seminar held at Imphal Hotel, Imphal on the theme, "India's Stand on the Territorial Integrity of Manipur".

The seminar was organised by the UCM.

Today's seminar was organised at the backdrop of the border dispute between India and Myanmar where several villages of Manipur have gone to the other side of the border due to the ongoing controversial border fencing.

"A strong and intense mass movement is a must here so as to alert the Government of India on the issue," opined social activist Dr Dhanabir Laishram.

He asked for a bold and concerted and democratic form of agitation by the people of Manipur to draw the attention of New Delhi on the issue.

Dr Dhanabir Laishram was speaking as one of the resource persons during the seminar on the topic, "India's double standard on the territorial integrity of Manipur" .

RK Ranjan, 'senior visiting fellow', Geography department of Manipur University said that in this globalised world focus on the nitty-gritties of border lines has become weak.

He however said, "But maintaining the correct boundary lines is important," RK Ranjan stated while speaking as a resource person in the programme.

He also said that boundaries have been affected whenever there occur historical event or incident and reiterated, "But reality should not be distorted" .

RK Ranjan was speaking on the topic, "Boundaries of Manipur and its problems and issues" .

Also speaking in the seminar was Hareshwar Goswami, a writer and social activist who said that border dispute with Myanmar (Burma) has been there since 1867 .

He stressed the need for the Manipur government to present a clear white paper on the issue to the public.

Prof Nabakumar while speaking on the topic, "A new turn in the Indo-Myanmar relationship in the light of India's Look East Policy," has presented a detailed scenario in the region developed in recent time.

Meanwhile, the seminar also recommended, besides organising a massive mass movement on the territory of Manipur, for sending missives on the issue to international fora.

The seminar resolved to submit a memorandum with details and historical background of Manipur's territory to all relevant authorities.

To demand a white paper from the Government of Manipur about the border row and convene a technical meeting at the earliest under the aegis of UCM to see that the resolutions adopted in today's seminar are put into action were some other resolutions adopted today.

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