Integrity Protection Day observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2011: As in previous years, commemorating the success of the public movement that forced the Government of India to finally delete the controversial phrase 'without territorial limit' from the ceasefire agreement (Bangkok Declaration, June 14, 2001) signed with NSCN (IM), All Clubs, Organisations, Association and Meira Paibis Lup (ACOAMLup), Kangleipak today observed Integrity Protection Day at JN Manipur Dance Academy here.

Delivering the keynote address, secretary of ACOAM Lup, Kangleipak Sanjit Soraisam said that the Government of India and Naga rebel group, NSCN (IM) entered into an unholy agreement on June 14, June, 2001 at Bangkok wherein the limit of the ceasefire signed between the two was extended beyond the boundary of Nagaland.

This unholy agreement had been opposed by the people of Manipur on a massive scale with a historic dimension culminating in the Great June Uprising on June 18, 2001 that saw 18 people sacrificing their lives for the cause of protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur.

The Government of India ultimately buckled and yielded to the demand of the people of Manipur and the controversial phrase 'without territorial limit' was deleted from the agreement in the evening of July 27, 2001 .

To commemorate the day, ACOAM-Lup has been observing Integrity Protection Day on July 27 every year since then.

Among the leaders of various civil organisations who spoke at the occasion, FREINDS president Sapamcha Jadumani said that though the Central Government and the Government of Manipur know that designated camps of NSCN (IM) are in Manipur, they have not taken up any action against the Naga rebel group.

In such a situation, armed cadres of NSCN (IM) have been encouraged not only to roam around openly and extorting money from the public but even launch attack on MLAs and killed security forces.

In the most recent incident, a couple who supported the integrity of Manipur was killed by NSCN (IM), he pointed out.

He exhorted that since the Government has done nothing to stop the atrocities of the NSCN (IM), the civil organisation should join hands against such disruptive forces.

Otherwise, we would not be able to protect our integrity and there would be none to stop the NSCN (IM) from doing whatever they like.

Now is also the time for all the MLAs to unite and take up action against the various crimes being perpetrated by NSCN (IM) on the people of Manipur.

The State Government should also asked the Central Government to put a rein over NSCN (IM) and ensure protection of the territorial integrity of Manipur, Jadumani said.

The president of Editors' Forum P Ibochoubi observed that Irom Chanu Sharmila has completed 10 years of hunger strike over the demand for repealing Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur.

This is an extraordinary feat no one could accomplished.

However, some Central leaders have been coming to the place where Sharmila is undergoing her fast unto death not to show solidarity but to see her like a mela in the name of solidarity.

In any democratic country, the rights of the people should be respected.

But in Manipur, the rights have been taken away by the Central Government, he added.

The president of All Manipur Working Journalist Union A Mobi, president of ACOAM-Lup Indrakumar Ningomba, president of Poirei Leimarol L Memchoubi, president of Kanglamei Y Leirikleima, president of AMKIL Ph Sakhi, president of Mommu Erikkhombi AK Janaki Leima, vice president of KAMA Alu Kamson, Dean of CAU Prof N Iboton, Tomal Singh of YCL Bishnupur, vice president of HERICOUN M Churamani attended the observance function as presidium members.

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