IMPHAL, June 18: Dy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today led the state in offering floral tributes to the 18 martyrs who had laid down their lives this day in 2001 during the peoples’ movement on the issue of territorial integrity of the state.
Unlike in the previous years, the 12th anniversary of the day was observed today organized jointly by the United Committee, Manipur and the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organization as the Great June Uprising, Unity Day at the Kekrupat Memorial Complex.
The Dy CM was also joined by other Ministers and MLAs including Industries and Sericulture Minister, Govindas Konthoujam; Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai; Yaishkul MLA E Chand; Keirao MLA K Thamerjit and Sagolband MLA RK Imo.
Members of the Huyen Lalong Manipur Tang Ta Cultural Association observed the guard of honour during the observation.
Other than the Ministers and the MLAs, family members, supporters and well-wishers cutting across communities paid rich floral tributes at the tombstones of the 18 martyrs erected at the memorial complex.
Meanwhile, speaking to media persons after paying his respect to the Martyrs, the state Dy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said that the 18 had shown extra-ordinary dedication in the fight for the territorial integrity of the state.
He continued, only political dialogues cannot save the integrity of the state, but the people need to come together and unite in order to save it.
KT Rahaman, chairman of the observation committee, said the day has been observed each year commemorating the martyrs who had sacrifice their lives against the proposed extension of ceasefire ‘without territorial limit’ between the NSCN (IM) and the Central government in the year 2001 known as the Bangkok agreement.
Provoked by the phrase “without territorial limit”, thousands of people came out on the streets to revolt against it, he said.
He continued that the UNC called general strike was improper as it had held back several supporters who had wanted to pay tribute to the martyrs.
He continued, the people of the state should join hands together to strengthen
He elaborated that the June 18, 2001 incident is not against any communities but it is against anyone who tries to break the integrity of the state, and as such people from all walks of life should come out and join the observation.
He also said that the UCM and the AMUCO will try to organize the observation jointly in the future also.
Speaking at the function, the former president AMUCO said he salutes the martyrs.
Recounting the 2001 movement, he said angry mobs had destroyed government buildings including the then state Assembly building, several residences of Ministers and MLAs, political offices, which led to the 18 martyrs losing their lives while many others sustained injuries in police action.
People of the state should unitedly face all kinds of disturbances to the integrity of the state, he appealed.
The government is not looking after the families of the 18 killed during the movement, he lamented. Each year, meritorious students are awarded by the Board of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur and other organisations, however none has come forward to help the unfortunate children of the 18, he continued.
Speaking at the occasion Y Nabachandra, UCM, president said the bandh imposed by the UNC is unfortunate and has been imposed every year since the June 18 observation had started during the same time.
Alleging that the central government has always tried to create conflicts between Nagaland and Manipur since a long time back, as such people should understand it and act accordingly, he continued.
He further appealed to all communities of the state to face any challenge to the integrity of the state without creating any fuss over communal lines.
Meanwhile, a press release of the Bangalore Manipuri Students’ Association, Bangalore has said that the day was also observed with a simple function organized by the MMAB and BMSA at No. 924, 6th B Main, 1st Block, Koramangala, Bangalore.
A good numbers of Manipuri families staying in and around Bangalore paid homage to the departed souls of the 18 martyrs, it said.