'Don't obliterate Manipur' stand rings loud
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 27 2025:
"Don't obliterate Manipur", the common slogan of the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and several other organisations associated with it reverberated loud and clear from Singjamei to Lilong today.
As a part of their ongoing protest movement demanding resignation of the top officials of the President's Rule administration and apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for their role in undermining the integrity and identity of Manipur, a lengthy human chain was formed from Singjamei to Lilong.
The protest demonstration was jointly organised by AMUCO, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, All Manipur Women's Voluntary Organisation (AMAWOVA), Committee on Human Rights (COHR) and Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF).
The protest demonstration was participated in strength by many local clubs, Meira Paibi organisations and students and they shouted a number of slogans in unison.
They also held placards which read as "We condemn Government of India's policy to obliterate Manipur", "Put an end to Government of India's divide and rule policy", "We won't tolerate any attempt to obliterate Manipur", "Self determination is our birth right", "Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act" etc .
On the other hand, a large number of Manipur Police and Central security personnel were deployed from Singjamei to Lilong to avert any untoward incident in the course of the human chain protest.
Speaking to media persons by the sideline of the protest demonstration, AMUCO general secretary Pratap Leishangthem said that the Gwaltabi incident of May 20, 2025 in which Central security forces compelled an MST bus carrying journalists to Shirui Lily Festival 2025 to conceal its signage "Manipur State Transport" was a direct challenge to the idea of Manipur.
It is obvious that the order which directed the troops to forcibly cover up the word "Manipur" came from either the Governor, the Security Advisor, the Chief Secretary or the DGP, Pratap said.
He also accused Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla of administering Manipur like a colony or an occupied State.
The current political dispensation has been sowing seeds of distrust and animosity among the different communities of Manipur, he said.
At one point of time, the people of Manipur thought that they would enjoy peace, security and prosperity after joining the Indian Union.
Contrary to this belief and hope, the people of Manipur are now suffering all kinds of misery just like people under foreign occupation, he continued.
As a result, the people have changed their mind and they have started shouting for self determination.
This change of mind is a creation of the Government of India, the AMUCO general secretary asserted.
By facilitating influx of hordes of new Kukis, other than the ones who were living in Manipur, the Government of India has been deliberately creating divisions and animosity among the communities who were earlier living together in peace and harmony.
On being enquired about the appeal made by a BJP MLA recently to the CSOs to come together, Pratap Leishangthem said that all the CSOs have the same objectives of protecting the integrity of Manipur and safeguarding the sanctity of its territorial boundary.
The CSOs are fighting for the same objectives from different directions.
He said that AMUCO has no objection to the COCOMI's movement and COCOMI has no problem with the mass movement spearheaded by AMUCO .
Peace and Integrity Committee Kyamgei (PICK) and All Kyamgei Nupi Marup too joined the human chain protest at Kyamgei Pal Ahanbi along Singjamei-Lilong road.
On the other hand, Meira Paibis staged a protest demonstration against the Gwaltabi outrage at Achanbigei Laishram Lampak.
Imphal East today.
They used placards which demanded an apology from the Governor and resignation of the Chief Secretary, the Security Advisor and the DGP .
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