Imphal, October 23 2010: Tribal Development minister, DD Thaisii has said history shows that people of both hill and valley have been living together in harmony as brothers and sisters and helping each other at time of suffering.

Folk tales of the hill people shows evidence that ethnic communities in the state have co-existed since time immemorial.

Elderly hill people also used to relate stories of extending help to each other among the people in hill and valley, the minister said speaking as guest in honour of the Mera Houchongba celebration held at Moirang Chingkhei in Bishnupur district.

But, a few sections of the hill people are trying to sever the age old love bondage of these ethnic identifies.

But it should be kept in mind that their effort is not supported by all.

Majority of the hill people are against it, the minister said.

He also expressed gratitude to the organizers, Youth Development Organisation, Moirang, for giving him the chance to participate in the celebration of Mera Houchongba in which Works minister RK Ranjit was chief guest and MLA M Prithivraj presided over the function.

MLA T Mangibabu and minister DD Thaisii attended as guests of honour in the function organized under the theme "Integrity, Communal Harmony and Peace" at Moirang Chingkhei in Bishnupur district.

Addressing as chief guest at the Mera Houchongba function at Moirang Chingkhei ground today, the works minister observed that the more than 2000 old history of the state is the hard evidence of the people of both the hill and the valley living together in harmony.

This truth of history cannot be altered.

Ranjit said that the demand by Nagas for a separation from the present Manipur state does not enjoy support from the majority of the Nagas and the movement is only for a few people with a vested interest.

Mera Houchongba which has been celebrated for centuries is proof that different ethnic communities have co-exist since time immemorial.

At the same time, he said that it is not possible to strengthen the love bond by mere talking, it needs practical work.

"We need to take equal responsibility to enhance development in backward areas and to be open handed at times when misfortune betall villagers in remote hill areas.

In this regard, government is committed to justice," Ranjit said.

It is not only the Meeteis who strived to protect Manipur when the Awas (Burmese) and the British invvaded Manipur.

The hill people also shared the efforts to protect the freedom of Manipur.

Not only this but on many occasions the hill people took the major share in protecting the freedom of the state.

But, the long co-existence the of ethnic peoples of the state is being targeted for disintegration by some Naga based organisations who are working with fabricated interests only.

This should be known by all and we should stay clear from these organisations.

Only by a concerted effort of the people of both in the hills and the valley, the sinister dream of breaking up the state can be defeated, he said.

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