AMUCO observes Integrity Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 06: Together with thousands of people coming from different parts of the State, the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) observed the 10th Integrity Day on August 4 at THAU ground Imphal in commemoration of the historic mass rally taken out on the same date in 1997 with the main objective to preserve the integrity of Manipur.

Addressing the huge gathering, AMUCO advisor Dr Dhanabir Laishram called upon the people to identify the external forces and understand their evil designs aimed at creating rifts among the indigenous peoples of the State and disintegration of Manipur ultimately.

People pay tributes on the occasion of Integrity Day

He advocated pursuing common interests rather than going after narrow personal or communal agenda as it will prove detrimental to the collective welfare of the State.

Taking part in the observance, social worker Th Iboyaima noted that it is time to bury the hatchets of the past and to unite together.

Even as the people of the State profess different religion and speak different languages, they are quite similar in physical features and appearance as they belong to the same origin.

Prof N Sanajaoba of the Department of Law, Guwahati University asserted that the people as well as the State Government, particularly the latter need to seriously consider amending the existing MLR & LR Act so that permanent settlement of non-indigenous people in the State and sale of dwelling plots to these people are prohibited.

He expressed deep apprehension that the indigenous Manipuris may soon become a minority in their native soon if the necessary amendment is not made without any further delay.

As long as the 36 ethnic groups of the State considers Manipur as their motherland, there is not even a slim chance of Manipur breaking up in the future.

Reacting to the allegation of six MLAs of hill districts and an MP, as included in their memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister on July 18, that the Governor of Manipur violated the Constitution of India by pledging to safeguard the territorial boundary of Manipur, Prof Sanajaoba remarked that the memorandum failed to substantiate the allegation against the Governor who only pledged to abide by a provision of the Constitution.

The Union Government seems to be sympathetic to the consistent nagging of some groups to hand over certain parts of Manipur to them as if Manipur does not have a clear cut boundary of its own, observed Sanajaoba while making no comment on the ongoing peace talk between NSCN (IM) and the Govt of India.

He also accused the Government of India of wilfully violating the UN Charter of 1949 in which it was clearly laid down that no nation should be annexed by force or coercion.

AMUCO president Yangsosong Koireng stated that AMUCO believes in the united strength of people.

He also called upon the people to work unitedly towards protecting Manipur from all evil forces coming from within and beyond.

He urged upon the people to struggle together against the divisive policies of these diabolic elements.

The 10th Integrity Day observance was graced by AMUCO president Yangsosong Koireng, AMUCO chief advisor Th Iboyaima, president of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur L Memchoubi, chairman of Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Council Churachandpur and president of Kuki Inpi Churachandpur Khaipao Haokip, ZU Imphal Zone chairman Sanachao Kamei, Prof N Sanajaoba Gauhati University and president of the All Manipur Muslim Development Organisation Abdul Kalam Azad Inqilabi as presidium members.