Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 14:
Taking the message of unity, development and peace, a public meeting was held today at Irabot Park, Kakching as part of the year long UNIDEP Campaign.
Addressing the gathering, Guest Faculty Member of Manipur University Dr Dhanabir Laishram said that the basic objective of the UNIDEP Campaign is to bring about equitable economic, social and political development in every part of Manipur, in place of the present day development which is concentrated among the few moneyed class and characterised by owning cars and using cell phones.
He remarked that the claim of development made by political leaders hold true only for a handful of rich people while the majority farmers and labourers are languishing in poverty.
Asserting that cease fire pact does not guarantee peace, Dhanabir observed that peace talk between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) would not be able to restore peace in the North Easte region as one of the primary agenda of the peace parley remains disintegration of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.
Saying that the UNIDEP Campaign may be conducted even at night time provided people want it, AMUCO president R Yangsosong Koireng declared that the Campaign would never be taken to the doorsteps of the top leaders of the State Government.
Yangsosong observed that the money provided by the Union Government for development of the State will never be able to bring peace in Manipur.
To bring peace in the State, social, economic and political justice is paramount, he said.
The public meeting held under the Organising Committee UNIDEP Campaign was also addressed by AMESCO vice-president LS Guite, Director of Centre for Social Studies, Dr H Nillakanta, Human Rights activist Jiten Yumnam and senior columnist Haobam Sanajaoba.
AMUCO president and Campaign Committee convenor R Yangsosong Koireng, advisor ATDUCO Khaidem Bijoy, advisor KHUKAMPAL L Memcha, retired ZEO P Nimai, pastor of Nungourok Khoibu village Simion Khoibu and social workers Ksh Sunil and Amumacha were the presidium members of the occasion.