IMPHAL August 21: Hundreds of people from various communities participated in the Peoples`™ Convention on the theme `Question on the future of Manipur`™ at GM Hall, Imphal today.
The day long deliberation was organized by the Committee for Reconsolidation Campaign with Manipur titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba as the president of the function and Ningthouja Lancha as the moderator.
Imminent speakers representing various communities spoke on the occasion.
Among them were Prof W Nabakumar, dept. of Anthropology MU; Naoroibam Indramani; Haobam Indrakumar, HOD, Political Science, Modern College; advocate Puyam Tomcha; advocate Paosing Golmei; advocate Moirangthem Manimohon; research associate, Centre for South East Asia Study, MU Kangujam Sanatomba; convenor Athoubasing Ningshing Thousillup, Sana Konung Somorendro Thokchom; ex-minister RV Mingthing; Chiru, All Hill Tribal Communities Association Angam Zatun and vice president, Komrem Mothers Union Akim Serto.
RV Mingthing clarified that the rippling panic and tension following the signing of Naga Peace Accord needs to recognized that the agreement is within the constitution and hence will not overlap on the rights of other citizens of the country.
He shared the exemplary deeds of cross community relationship which needs further rejuvenation in order to integrate the hills and the valley beyond ideological ideals.
Kangujam Sanatomba detailed the historicity of Manipur becoming an Indian State where it was not represented well in drafting the present constitution which has led to denial of various rights entitlements and safeguards.
He feels that the present movement has not address these core issues.
`ILPS alone will not be able to save the native people, we need a constitutional protection. A greater autonomy is the only solution`™ he said.
This can only happen if we are able to impress upon the GOI to officially recognize the armed political conflict in Manipur which can only be addressed by a political solution.
Hence it requires a long term political engagement with armed groups, he asserted.
He also stressed on the imperative need for rebuilding the relationships of the hills and the valley. He feels that the Meiteis being the majority community should shoulder this initiative.
`Else threat to the territorial integrity will result from the Meitei Political attitude too`™ he remarked.
He continued, `We love the land but not the people occupying those land; We should learn to love the people too!`™
Sanatomba feels that the present movement has raised the peoples`™ level of political consciousness and to encouraged participation.
However he emphasized that the core issue is not AFSPA, territorial integrity or ILPS but a political solution to the political conflict.
`It is time to focus on our rightful political claim with nothing less than greater autonomy and all the other secondary issues will be solved by attaining this` he said.
Angam Zatun expressed that it is unfortunate that the education institutions are closed for more than a month now.
While reiterating the need to collectively rebuild the intercommunity ties he also said that there is a tendency to blame the hills for anything and everything even the recent flood.
He said no land is left in plantation of trees in the hills and soon the hills might insist on growing more trees in the valley.
Meanwhile, the convention also arrived at five resolutions including a demand for the Government of India to acknowledge the Political Conflict Situation between India and the State; demand for pre-merger status of the government in the State; formation of Ethnic and Tribe Councils by the government and representatives of the councils to form a Upper House or establishment of Ethnic Council under a Ministry; formation of a preparatory committee `Coalition for Indigenes`™ Rights Campaign Manipur` (CIRCA Manipur with Somorendro Thokchom as convenor and Paosing Golmei and Waikhom Ananda Meetei as co-convenors and to organise a Peoples`™ convention in the presence of representatives of all communities of the State.