Meet dissects narco-terrorism, role of indigenes
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 07 2023: While emphasising on the roles and unity of the indigenous people of Manipur in bringing solu-tion to any sensitive issue, HERICOUN president and COCOMI assistant coordi-nator Longjam Ratankumar said that integrity in oneself is the foremost character to protect the state's integrity.

Speaking on the topic, 'Present Issue in Manipur' at a public meeting on roles of indigenous people organised Apunba Tengbang Lup (ATL), an apex body of different clubs and associations in Patsoi assembly constituen-cy, held at YPC Community hall, Takyel Kolom Leikai on Friday, Ratankumar pointed out that there is huge role of the public in protecting ter-ritorial integrity of Manipur.

Everybody knows how the large scale poppy plantation carried out by Kuki militants in the hills of Manipur has af-fected the natural ecosystem of the state to a great extent while the current crisis is not only posing threat to the integrity of Manipur but also the food security, he said.

As farmers are unable to carry out agricultural activities it will inevitably lead to shortage of food grains in the coming months, he said.

While describing as unfor-tunate that political elements are misleading the people amid such grave situation, Ratankumar said it is not the time to create division among the indigenous peo-ple but to unite and defend the administrative and ter-ritorial integrity of the state.

This fight should begin from self by upholding one's in-tegrity, he reiterated.

Further pointing out that the education sector had been limping back af-ter the devastating effect of Covid-19 pandemic for over two years, he regretted that the path to recover), is facing derailment due to the ethnic violence.

Stressing on the impor-tance of education, he urged the public to ensure conti-nuity of education in areas, where there is no violence.

Besides, the society also needs to shoulder respon-sibility to provide income generation opportunities to the displaced people apart from providing shelter, until the situation is improves.

It is also up to the indigenous people of the state to prevent further infiltration of illegal immigrants by mounting pressure on the government, he said.

Ratankumar further as-serted that the unrest sit-uation gripping the state is outcome of the long-term scheme by the Kukis to cre-ate chaos.

Considering the sensitive issues engulfing the state, there is immediate need for a strong regional political party that understands the complex situation of Mani-pur and can take firm deci-sions, he said, while pointing out that some neighbour-ing states have government formed by regional parties.

The main reason behind the absence of a strong re-gional party in Manipur is due to absence of integrity, he said while underscoring the importance of integrity in order to uphold the state's integrity.

Despite views of some apolitical individuals and organisations, politics is im-portant in every spheres of life and the need of the hour is politics which takes the righteous path and upholds integrity of Manipur, he said.

The assistant coordinator, however, said that politics does not necessarily means contesting elections.

He also urged intellectuals to share their knowledge to the general public and guide them towards the right path while clarifying that CSOs are committed to work for the wellbeing of Manipur and its people.

The fact that different CSOs are pursuing the same goal and objective is proof of unity among the CSOs, he reasoned.

Social activist Brinda Thounaojam, who deliber-ated on Narco Terrorism', contended that making the innocent public victims of the crisis is part of the scheme by narco- terror-ists to achieve the goal of separate administration to take full control of narcotic business.

With regard to random armed attacks, she opined that as the public did not foresee the violent campaign they are being attacked from all sides.

Compelled by the circumstance, public have been defending themselves but such steadfast stand to tackle the disruptive ele-ments as facing challenges in the form of presence of some black sheep which the society need to identify and expose, she emphasised.

Brinda further said that there is a huge difference between the conditions of Manipur before and after its merger into the Union of India.

The state is on the verge of bifurcation.

In such situation, the society needs to revisit and analyse the Merger Agreement, she added.

ATL convenor Tongbram Pishak presided over the meet which had professor W Nabakumar speaking on 'Origin of Kuki' and Sana-leibak editor Hemantakumar Ningombam on 'Role of In-digenous People' .

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