IMPHAL, December 8: National Research Centre, a civil society group which organised a two day public dialogue on “Present Political Situation in Manipur” on December 7 and 8 and the Kuki Inn, on its concluding day today, unanimously decided to hold a condolence for the nine dead young men who lost their lives in firing by security forces in Churachandpur town during the public protest against the passing of three bills purportedly to control influx of outside populations into the State.
The public discussion also adopted several resolutions including demand for constitutional recognition to Manipur’s history and distinctive political status.
The congregation which included members of a number of prominent civil society organisations, including the AMUCO and the UCM, besides well-known personalities and elders like Khaidem Mani, Priyadarshani M Gangte, R.V. Minthing, retired Prof. Sadananda, Nabashyam Heikrujam, among others, observed a one minute silence to pray for peace of the departed souls.
It may be recalled, the nine bodies still lay unburied at the ill-equipped mortuary at the Churachandpur District Hospital, and their martyrdom will be completing 100 days tomorrow.
Following the two day discussion, it was resolved that considering the sovereign existence of Manipur for more than 2000 years, the Indian Constitution should give constitutional recognition to the distinctive history and political status of Manipur and its existing territorial boundary should be safeguarded.
Other resolutions adopted included that although all peace talks are welcomed, resolution of all such talks or engagement between armed insurgent outfits and the Government of India should not be based on ethnic lines; the aspirations of the people of the hill cannot be realized without the consensus approval and consent of the valley people and at the same time, aspirations of the valley people cannot be realized without the consensus approval and consent of the hill people and that the GoI should realize this, and accordingly take the initiative to provide avenue for inter-community dialogue if it really looks forward to a genuine solution which will not be at the cost of each other.
It was also resolved that the government should check the exploitation of natural resources in the name of development.
It was also resolved that there is no future without endeavouring together, collectively facing the onslaughts of the various invading forces in all forms which threaten the collective existence and interest of all the co-existing brethren native communities in the State.