Plebiscite demand pitch picks up
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 15 2011:
Plebiscite is a voting system accepted by United Nations Organisation (UNO) for generating public opinion, Advocate Angomcha Araba has stated.
Speaking as one of the resource persons in a discussion session held on the theme of 'Manipur-India conflict and its resolution through public participation' at Khongnangpokpi village under Senapati district today, Advocate Araba said that none should have any fear over participation in discussion on plebiscite or speaking about it.
Because, it is a system of voting for generating public opinion.
It is a system accepted by UNO and had been conducted in many countries around the world.
UNO is an International organisation with members from 192 countries.
India is also a member of UNO.
What is acceptable to UNO means it is also acceptable to India.
So, if all the people of Manipur shout in union to raise the demand for holding plebiscite to resolve the Manipur-India conflict, which has been in existence since the day Manipur was forcefully merged with India on October 15, 1949, UNO would definitely listen to the people of Manipur.
At that time, Government of India and Manipur would not be able to run away from holding plebiscite, Advocate Araba observed.
He asserted that UNO endorses liberation movement and it is against the principle of UNO to allow any Nation under subjugation.
In accordance to UNO resolution no.1514 adopted on December 14, 1960, it is just for a Nation to fight for regaining lost sovereignty.
If the existing Manipur-India conflict is not resolved through plebiscite at the earliest possible, the indigenous people of Manipur would lost their identity after 2020, Advocate Araba said.
The most important thing for any Nation is not the food to eat, cloth to wear and the house to live but the right and freedom for self-determination, full political rights of the people and their identity.
So, it is in the hands of the people of Manipur whether plebiscite should be held or not to decide their fate, he exhorted.
In all two resolutions have been adopted at the end of the discussion session.
The first resolution endorsed that plebiscite should be held to ensure full participation of the people in resolving Manipur-India conflict.
In the second resolution, it decided that the resolutions adopted would be forwarded to UNO and other International human rights groups for support.
Organised under the aegis of Khongnangpokpi Village Authority, today's discussion session was attended by chief of Khongnangpokpi village S Boilen Kom, president of National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) L Khuplen Kom and president of Advance Women Society, Awang Leikai A Shanti as presidium members.
In his presidential address, Boilen Kom expressed concern over influx and settlement of migrant workers in different parts of Manipur and said that if this trend continues, the day would not be far when the indigenous people would have no live to live and call their own.
It is an undeniable fact that inspite of its small size, Manipur was an independent Nation.
So, all the indigenous people and groups should pitch for holding plebiscite to resolve the Manipur-India conflict, Boilen said, while suggesting that similar discussion should also be held in different parts of the hill districts.