IMPHAL June 18: The All Manipur United Club’s Organization (AMUCO) observed its 10th Unity Day at Thau Ground today. After offering tributes to the martyred persons memorial at Kekupat, the main function of the observation at THAU ground was attended by KT Rehman, president of AMUCO, K Binoy Singh, president of Senior Citizen’s for Society, Genkhomang Khongsai, president of Thadou Tribe Council, Th Iboyaima,president of Irabot Foundation, M Memchoubi, president of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Lup, Kunjamohan, president of United Manipuri Assam and Md Ayub Khan, president of All Manipur Muslim Development Organisation as presidium members.
At the outset of the observation, Ph Devan, general secretary of AMUCO voiced on the importance of observing the Unity Day in his keynote address.
He said that the people of the hill and valley districts have always co existed in a peaceful manner since time immemorial and the different communities has been tendering mutual respect to each other, but in recent times, some organizations and individuals with vested interests have been trying to disrupt the congenial atmosphere.
The Indian government has also played a divide and rule policy among the North Eastern states, he said.
He said that AMUCO has been trying to bridge the gap between the various ethnic communities and have been so far successful in their endeavour, but a Naga rebel group has been perpetrating various crimes upon the valley people just to irk and force a response, however the enforcement of economic blockades along the main lifelines of the state have been taken in its stride by the public.
“We know that we are being provoked, the issue of the NSCN leader Muivah trying to enter the state, the institution of the Naga People’s Front among others, but we also know our Naga brethren have no hand in such unwanted provocations, but is simply the handiwork of the NSCN (IM) rebel group, it is better if they do not test our patience”, he added.
He concluded on the note that the communities must struggle together, live in peace together to bring about an overall development in the state.
President of Senior Citizen’s for Society, L Binoy Singh voiced resentment on the separate memorial observances held by UCM and AMUCO. He said that both organizations were born on the same day in the wake of the June ,2001 uprisings.
“We observe this day marking the sacrifice made by the 18 martyrs , they are at par with Paona Brajabashi who laid down his life for the motherland, this observance further testifies that the people will stand for their rights”, he said.
He further stated that Manipur is not governed by politicians but by the people, the public is the real leader and must also urge the insurgents to come to the negotiating table so that a solution can be brought to the present state of affairs, the future of a state is in the hands of its public, he added.
President of Poirei Leimarol, L Memchoubi on a similar note stressed that unification must be brought within AMUCO and UCM first of all and the public needs to strive towards bringing about it. She said that it is evident that the Congress government is corrupt yet political aspirants still endeavor to get the Congress ticket, she said that the public need to elect the rights persons having sincerity and love for the land.