IMPHAL, June 14: Recalling the grim past of the fall out of the “Bangkok Declaration” June 14, 2001, the All Manipur United Club Organisation (AMUCO) today staged a sit in protest demonstration at Kwakeithel against the declaration claiming it as “divisive policy”.
Speaking to media persons during the protest AMUCO vice president Ph Devan Sharma, maintained that the Bangkok declaration was truly a divisive policy of the government of India.
Many had sacrificed their lives confronting such policy.
“By organising such protest we want to send a loud message to the GOI that Manipur will not stop confronting any such divisive policy.”
He opined that the ongoing talks between the Manipur Government, GoI and UNC which is taking place in hills district of Manipur, is not a healthy sign for the people.
NNN adds: Thirteen years down the line today, AMUCO organised a sit-in protest against the declaration which came to be known as The Bangkok Declaration. Today’s sit-in protest was participated by several civil society organisations held at Kwakeithel Bazar, Imphal West district.
Speaking to the media at the protest site, vice president AMUCO Ph Devan Sharma cautioned the people of Manipur that it was during the reign of the NDA that the Bangkok Declaration was made. “And today the same NDA is back at the helm and the public of Manipur need to remain alert,” Sharma said. The AMUCO vice president also cautioned the Government of India and Manipur Government that the outcome of talks with the NSCN-IM or any underground outfit under Suspension of Operation (SoO) should not be resulted in affecting the territory of Manipur. He also called the New Delhi and Manipur Government to halt immediately the ongoing talks with the United Naga Council (UNC) in the Alternative Arrangement demand. However, Devan Sharma did not mention the term Alternative Arrangement directly.
Terming the Bangkok Declaration of the Government of India as a ploy to create differences among the various communities of Manipur, the AMUCO vice president said such “divisive policy” of the Government of India will be unitedly thwarted by the people of Manipur irrespective of communities. “We are ready to face any challenge to the threat to the territory of Manipur,” Sharma asserted. The AMUCO leader also said that the people of Manipur are apprehensive about the policies of the government of India.
It can be noted here that AMUCO and United Committee, Manipur (UCM) are organising the Great June Uprising Day on June 18 commemorating the June 18 incident that claimed 18 lives in protest against the Bangkok Declaration