Civil bodies reaffirm pledge to safeguard Manipur boundary

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 28

Chairperson of 17th Manipur Integrity and Solidarity Day observance committee, Ph. Shakhi Leima alleged that India government loves Manipur’s land not the people.

Addressing Manipur Integrity and Solidarity Day today at Lamyanba Shanglen, Konung Mamang, Shakhi said Manipur has been protecting by various ethnic groups since time immemorial both in hill and valleys. But in recent years the centre has been trying to destroy the integrity of Manipur by using NSCN(IM) as a main weapon, she charged.

Centre is playing divide and rule policy by destroying the bond between the various ethnic groups, but it has been a failure, she said.

The people of the state are different from other states in looks and in many other qualities. Due to the difference Manipuris people will be discriminated forever and it may not be possible to live together like a family, she claimed.

She charged that centre has been sending homeless people from other states to Manipur.

Shakhi said if the contents of the ‘Framework Agreement’ do not affect Manipur’s integrity, it should be made public.

“The integrity of the state will not be compromised at any cost. If the framework agreement affects the integrity of the state Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) and National Identity Protection Council (NIPCO) will fight against it,” she added.

Advisor of Kuki Women Union Manipur, Rose Manshi Haokip said the contents of the ‘Framework Agreement’ are not known to state government. If the contents are against the state integrity, all ethnic groups must unite to save Manipur, she said.

Reacting to opposition to the creation of new districts, Rose said the new districts are for administrative convenience and not to divide the ethnic groups.

If people of hills and valleys unite as one, it will be impossible for Centre to disintegrate Manipur. Centre should clarify on the contents of ‘Framework Agreement’ at the earliest, she demanded.

Vice-chairman of observance committee, Oinam Premjit told the media that there is apprehension, that the ‘Framework Agreement’ may affect territorial integrity of the state. People must stand united fight for the state, he said.

President of Aimol Tribe Union Manipur (ATUM), Rt. Akhel Aimol, spokesperson of Chiru Union, North east, Angam Zatung Chiru, general secretary of Manipur Muslim Online Forum, Md. Nasir Khan and department of anthropology, Manipur University Prof W. Nabakumar, department of economics, Manipur University, Prof Ch. Priyoranjan also attended the function as presidium members and resource persons.