Imphal, August 28: The 9th foundation day of United People's Front (UPF) was celebrated at Kangla Hall here today along with participation by leaders of various civil organisations.

MLA of Thongju A/C Bijoy Koijam and UPF president Thingom Mangi were respectively chief guest and functional president of the celebration which was also graced by UPF advisor Joy Nongmaithemcha, president of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union S Hemanta and MLA of Patsoi A/C A Keba as guests of honour on the dais.

Apart from introducing the new office bearers of UPF, authorities of Blood Bank, RIMS Hospital organised a blood donation camp to mark the occasion at Kangla wherein many UPF volunteers and individuals donated their blood.

Former editor of Freedom daily and advisor of UPF RK Ranendrajit spoke on the theme of 'Discipline and national character' at the occasion.

In his address as chief guest of the function, MLA Bijoy Koijam said inspite of being a Congress MLA, he strongly condemned the move of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee to integrate all the incongruous Naga-inhabited areas with Nagaland.

The Congress-led SPF Government will never compromise on the issue of protection of the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Moreover, it is a fact that Naga people living in Manipur do not have an intention of working against the integrity of Manipur.

We should not fall into the trap being laid by few vested interested leaders of the Naga rebel group, NSCN (I-M).

Maintaining that armed revolt is not the solution for a peaceful society, Bijoy said it is essential for both the parties to sit down to discuss the issue so that all of us can contribute our mite in bringing about socio-economic revolution in the State.

UCM president Langamba who also spoke at the occasion as one of the special invitees, asserted that the developmental projects being taken up by the Government of India in the State only in name sake is a total failure and the State Government has been reduced to a mere puppet.

It is for this reason that the condition of the State is becoming worse day by day.

In such a situation, talks alone is not the solution to resolving that the present conflict.

In continuation of the celebration, various cultural troupes performed dances, songs and Thang-Ta.

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