UCM commemorates 2018 mass rally
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 31 2024: The United Committee Manipur (UCM) today commemorated the October Mass Rally held on October 31, 2018 to protect the integrity of Manipur and safeguard its territorial boundary.

Speaking at the commemorative function held at Manipur Press Club, UCM consultative committee member Yumnamcha Dilipkumar said that armed Kukis have been attacking Meitei people in foothill areas using guerilla tactics used by Hirachandra against Burmese forces during the Seven Years' Devastation.

Chin-Kuki terrorists came on secret routes and paths along mountain ridges and they have been attacking Meitei people after taking positions at convenient spots, he said.

At the moment, the Government seems to be sleeping.

The Government must be first woken up.

The people have been demanding resignation of Government leaders if they are not in a position to bring the crisis to an end and at the same time, protect the integrity and territorial boundary of Manipur.

The political leaders must listen to the voice of the people, Dilipkumar said.

"In the midst of the ongoing Chin-Kuki aggression, Ministers/MLAs must do their duties to protect the integrity of Manipur as well as its territorial boundary.

We, CSOs, will also shoulder our responsibilities but the Government should not restrain us", he said.

He recalled that the October Mass Rally of 2018 was taken out in the backdrop of the repeated challenges posed by the peace talk between the Government of India and NSCN(IM) to the integrity of Manipur.

He also underscored the urgent need for all the organisations and the people to come together and work collectively in order to face and defeat all the challenges to the integrity and territory of Manipur.

"We are only defending ourselves from the relentless attacks from Burmese refugees.

But we are not in a position to launch any offensive" Dilipkumar said.

UCM president YK Dhiren alleged that the Government of India has been continuously oppressing and persecuting the people of Manipur since the day Manipur was merged into the Indian Union.

Today, the Government of India is waging a proxy war in Manipur in association with Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists with the objective of disintegrating Manipur, he alleged before calling upon all the indigenous communities to come together and face these challenges collectively.

He added that the UCM will continue to stand firm for the integrity and territorial boundary of Manipur.

UCM consultative committee member Khomdram Ratan lamented that very few people attempt to walk on the paths chosen by heroes and martyrs of the past even though people in large numbers pay floral to the heroes and martyrs on August 13, Irabot Day, Khongjom Day etc every year.

"Today we are running like refugees from one place to another in our own motherland.

Even after many of our sisters and brothers have been killed by Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists, we are still unable to unite", he lamented.

Kabui Union Manipur vice-president Lanbon Kabui said that Kabuis have been taking key roles in all efforts to safeguard the integrity of Manipur.

He also appealed to all the indigenous communities to work collectively in order to protect the integrity and territorial boundary of Manipur.

Comment