Imphal, April 16: After successfully organising the UNIDEP's (Unity, Development and Peace) Campaign at different places of Bishnupur and Thoubal districts and at some hill areas, the third phase of the UNIDEP Campaign was kick-started today in Imphal East district.

The third phase of the Campaign which will be organised at different venues within Imphal East district was kick-started at Irilbung community hall today with lighting of the inaugural lamp by the convenor of the UNIDEP Campaign Organising Committee and AMUCO president R Yangsosong Koireng.

Today's Campaign meeting was addressed by editor of Orient Vision S Bhubon, AMESCO president LS Guite, AMESCO vice-president IB Luwang, MU research scholar Y Dhakeshwar and senior columnist Haobam Sanajaoba.

Speaking on the occasion, R Yangsosong observed that the State known to today's generation by the name Manipur was fractured at a historical point of time following adoption of alien culture and religion.The erstwhile peaceful and unified Manipur was fragmented into different segments on account of frequent wars among the Meitei princes for the throne, the division of hill people into Nagas and Kukis by the British rulers, adoption of Hinduism by the valley people followed by embracing Christianity by the hill people, recounted the AMUCO president.

To remove all sorts of misunderstanding and animosity and to bring about unity among all the ethnic groups of Manipur is the guiding inspiration behind the UNIDEP Campaign, he said.

The development programmes being taken up under the 'so called economic package' is meant for a few privileged and moneyed people, asserted Yangsosong while noting that until and unless the people of Manipur can produce and manufacture goods and pave the way for development and progress on their own, any meaningful development would remain a far-fetched dream.

Once there is unity and development, peace would automatically prevail in the society, he stated adding that had the State been inhabited by a single community, there would not have been any necessity for the UNIDEP Campaign.

The UNIDEP Campaign Committee is constituted by AMUCO, AMESCO, AMAWOVA, MEPWAK, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur and other social organisations.

Dignitaries and public leaders who presided today's meeting included R Yangsosong, president of the Imphal East United Clubs' Organisation L Lemba Meitei, president of PAC Bamon Kampu Shengoi Luwang, Tomba Kabui of Irilbung Kabui village, EUYA secretary Md Jallaludin, secretary of Keirao Makting Women Welfare Association Zubeda Bibi and secretary of Heirom Leirak Welfare Association H Kananbala.

Comment