Imphal, June 16: While endorsing the call of the senior citizens and family members of the June uprising victims to observe the event jointly at Kekrupat rather than in separate venues as was witnessed for the past few years, All manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) prevailed upon all concerned to introspect why a particular organisation should occupy the now-sacred site.

Asserting that AMUCO respects the sentiment expressed by the senior citizens and victims' families, a release issued by the publicity department of the body urged the concerned citizens to prevailed upon UCM functionaries vacate the site and shift its office to an alternative location to uphold sanctity of the memorial site instead of projecting the place as UCM's.AMUCO, nevertheless pledged to oblige to the sentiment and desire of the victim's families by paying obeisance to the 18 martyred souls at the Kekrupat memorial site before holding a public discussion session at THAU ground in connection with its Unity Day observation in remembrance of the June 2001 events.

The body also ridiculed UCM's tradition of inviting Government representatives for the occasion and relegating family members to a subjugated status with the preference to VIPs pay floral tributes before the family members and relatives of the martyrs.

It also reminded to the UCM that the June event was against the Government and under no circumstance should Government functionaries be giving priority.

Moreover, it should be kept in mind that many in the UCM list of dignitaries (Govt officials, Ministers) invited for the observation are yet to wash off their hands from the bloody mess they have created, said the release while opining that keeping Government representatives and functionaries away from the people's event would be a more mature approach.

Bringing the June 18 observation on the line of India's Independence Day celebration would never be tolerated and as such AMUCO affirmed against participating in the Kekrupat programme for the last many years, the release said while reiterating its change of stance in honour of the calls by the senior citizens and families of the 18 victims.

Respecting the concern of the senior citizens and family members/relatives, AMUCO also desired that the former party convince UCM on need to preserve sanctity of the site.

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