IMPHAL, August 8: The 16th Manipur Integrity Day was today observed with the main program held at the Manipur Dramatic Union hall at Yaishkul and a floral tribute paid to the Integrity Pillar near Pologround in the morning.
The observation was organized by the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation.
The day started with the offering of floral tribute at the Integrity Pillar at 9am led by AMUCO president Dr Y Mani Khuman.
The second session or the main session of the observation was held at MDU with AMUCO president Dr Y Mani Khuman; Kuki Mothers’ Association president, Prof Rose Mangshi Haokip; Kabui Mothers’ Association president, Kakomlunglu Kamei; Chiru Tribe Union North East president, Areng Chiru; All Manipur Muslim United Co-ordinating Committee, president Md Kheiruddin, Irabot Foundation Manipur president Iboyaima; Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi, Apunba Manipur president L Memchoubi and others as presidium members.
Addressing the observation, United Committee, Manipur president, Y Nabachandra said there is a need for the people of the state to demonstrate a united front.
People need to be united and co-operate with one another.
Meanwhile, elaborating on the condition and problems of the National Highways of the state, he said that the government has failed to provide any security along the highways, either it is from the natural calamities or from anti social elements.
Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, Kuki Mothers’ Association, president Rose Mangshi opined that the Look East Policy and the arrival of the railways into the state will only affect the integrity of the state in the long run.
Saying that there is a need to encourage Gandhian thought among the people of the state, she said people should take up peaceful and democratic means of agitation in order to place their demands before the government.
Women folk of the state will always stand in the frontline in safeguarding Manipur, she concluded.
AMMUCC president Md Kheiruddin said the integrity day observation should be organized in all the nine districts of the state so as to bring unity amongst the people of the state.
He further expressed the need of a new agricultural land protection Act in the state.
He viewed that since agriculture is the main source of livelihood in the state, a new Act to safeguard arable land in the state is the need of the hour.
KAMA president, Kakomlunglu said that the government has failed to understand the people of the state.
She said the state government has failed to respond to the needs of the general public during the times of blockades, strikes, road blocks, landslides which have created problems for the people for long.
She further expressed that the recent stand of the government on the issue of international boundary fencing and territorial integrity smacks of a hidden agenda.
Advocate K Khogen expressed the need for an AMUCO team to visit the ongoing international boundary fencing and provide all possible help to the affected villages.
Iboyaima of Irabot Foundation Manipur president, Iboyaima elaborated that the people of the state lack unity and discipline; and added that intellectuals and scholars of the state should come out and join the people’s movement for a better society.