IMPHAL, November 9: A one-day public discussion on peaceful co-existence amongst the ethnic people of Manipur was jointly organized by United People’s Administrative Council (UPACO) Manipur, National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO); Thoubal Ima and Meeyamgi Thoudang Club (MTC) Sugnu at Ching Tam Community Hall, Sugnu today.
Khunyamba of Sugnu Moirangthem Babuchand Meitei; vice-president of Thoubal Ima Elangbam ongbi Ibecha Devi; chief of M Monpi village Haokip; ex-president of People’s Council Ngamkhulet Haokip and chief of Makhao Tamoak village Kontang Haokip attended the discussion programme as presidium members.
Speaking at the occasion as a resource person, convener of JCILPS Khomdram Ratan asserted that the rich art and culture of various ethnic communities, unique existence of hills, lakes, rivers, roads and bridges in different parts clearly implies that different ethnic people of the State cannot separate from each other.
He maintained that people of hills and valley have been jointly protecting integrity of the State since time immemorial.
Products of the hills are used in valley. Likewise products of the valley are used in the hills. This is a clear indication of the peaceful co-existence amongst the people of the hills and valley since time immemorial, he observed.
Calling upon the communities to shun sense of disintegration and alienation from others, the JCILPS convener noted that such separate thoughts will hamper peace and tranquility in the State which in turn will threaten existence of the indigenous people.
He also mentioned that ever since Manipur annexed to India, the State has fallen prey to divide and rule policy of the latter.
Being a victim of divide and rule policy, the State has not able to become self-reliant mainly in daily needs, Kh Ratan said.
Reiterating that the three bills passed by the State Assembly were for the whole people of the State not for a particular community, he expressed grave concern on the increasing influx of outsiders which has threatened existence of the indigenous people.
He clarified that JCILPS could not visit families of the nine civilians killed in Churachandpur incident due to time factor.
However, the committee will visit the bereaved families in a favorable time, the JCILPS convener added.
Addressing the gathering as one of the resource persons, advisor of UPACO T Rameshwor said that the origin of the hills and valley is same and that the fact is clearly mentioned in approved textbooks.
Secretary of Human Resource Development, United Committee Manipur (UCM) and advisor of UPF BM Yaima were also present at the public discussion as resource persons.