Our Correspondent
Imphal | February 6
Thousands of people today took part in a mass rally held in Imphal for the ‘Common Future of Manipur’ to “reaffirm and strengthen” the “integrity” of the State.
The All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), Committee of Civil Societies, Kangleipak (CCSK) and United Committee Manipur (UCM) organised the rally, followed by a public meeting at a sports stadium. The participants, who also included students from different schools and colleges, gathered at Thau Ground, Thangmeiband in the morning before starting the rally which ended at the Khuman Lampak Sports Main Stadium.
Speakers pledged to “protect the integrity” of Manipur State, “maintain peaceful co-existence” and “stay united and fight together for it in the face of challenges.”
In his keynote address, UCM general secretary YK Dhiren Singh condemned the Nagaland assembly for “repeatedly challenging” the “territorial integrity” of Manipur by taking resolutions on Naga integration. “It has been a great threat to the people of Manipur and its territory since the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement between NSCN (IM) and Government of India way back in 1997,” Dhiren said.
He termed as “baseless and unnatural” that the “majority community” in Manipur looks down upon smaller communities in the State. The UCM leader insisted that the Centre has been “made to believe” such allegations by a “handful of individuals working for their own interest.”
Dhiren said, “The hope for integration of Pan-Naga family and Supra State for the Nagas will never become true. We’ll not allow integration of Nagas living across the North-eastern region.”
Referring to the Naga peace talks, he said the people of Manipur have the right to know the details of the Naga peace Accord signed between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on August 3, 2015. “The Centre should not conceal the Framework Agreement. We thank the Government of India for its serious political contemplation on the Naga problem but it should not take any wrong decision. The Centre needs to respect the people of Manipur too,” he added.
Four key resolutions were adopted after the public meet: Integrity of Manipur will be kept intact, policy of divide and rule against communities in Manipur will not be allowed to continue, alienation within different groups will be stopped and any neighbouring State will not be allowed to interfere and threaten the territorial integrity of the State.
