IPSA observes Dark Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 27 2016: International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) observed the 18th Dark Day to commemorate the day Manipur lost her sovereignty at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen today.

Oinam AC MLA Dr I Ibohalbi, IPSA president Luwangcha Chingkhei and United Committee Manipur president Elangbam Johnson attended the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

In his speech, Dr Ibohalbi said that it is necessary to deliberate British colonialists' perspective about Manipur.

He opined that British colonialists did not come with a positive intention to Manipur.

Now, it is necessary to discuss how India looks at Manipur as well, the MLA said.

Saying that Manipur is now at a critical juncture, Dr Ibohalbi said that people must realise whether their leaders have dedication to the service of the masses.

Regarding boundary issues, Dr Ibohalbi said that there are ambiguities both in district and International boundaries.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had once said that the Government would never compromise with the land of Manipur.

However, there are still many unsettled issues on International boundary, he said and added that it is the reason why certain organisations had asked the Government to halt boundary fencing along Indo-Myanmar border.

The MLA further said that the State Government must clearly demarcate district boundaries as well for administrative convenience and also to avoid unwanted disputes.

Maintaining that Manipur still has many unsettled issues and problems, Dr Ibohalbi observed that hill and valley people must adopt a sincere approach to resolve all these issues collectively.

Speaking at the function, Elangbam Johnson said that nobody puts in efforts to settle the urgent issues besieging the State.

He observed that the manifold issues in the State are due to the negligence of political leaders.

Saying that the political leaders are unable to bring trust among different communities, Johnson said that the root cause of many issues is trust deficit.

Johnson observed that if the people really love their motherland, they need to give up self centric and ethnic centric approaches.

The State is experiencing many identity related crises as well, he said and added that such crises have brought incidents which could ignite communal flare-ups.

And it is unfortunate that the State does not have any able leader who can resolve all these crises and issues, he said.

Questioning the State Government why the State still does not have distinct district boundaries, Johnson said that political leaders must adopt a holistic approach in resolving the issues if they really aspire to protect Manipur.

History Department HOD of SK Women's College Dr M Ratankumar was the special talker of the observance.

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