IMPHAL, October 22: The United Committee Manipur will not budge from its stand on the NSCN (IM) peace accord which was submitted in a memorandum along with other CSOs of the State to government interlocutor of the talks between the GoI and the NSCN (IM), RN Ravi during his recent visit in Imphal, reiterated UCM president Elangbam Johnson today.
He was speaking at the campaign `Peoples`™ Movement for the common Future of Manipur` held today at Bamon Leikai Youth Club, Yairipok under the aegis of United Committee Manipur (UCM), All Manipur United Clubs`™ Manipur (AMUCO) and Committees of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK).
The memorandum had demanded a white paper on the peace process with the NSCN (IM) from 1997 onwards and also the details of accord from the government and for the Centre to respect the distinctive historical identity and political status of Manipur and its multi-cultural pluralistic society based on the principles of co-existence and communal harmony while ensuring integrity of its body-polity.
It had also said that political aspirations and socio-economic advancement of all the ethnic communities of Manipur be ensured and protected with the administrative jurisdiction of Manipur and any culture and administrative arrangement on the basis of ethnicity is unacceptable as it directly tantamount to communal and sectarian demarcation of aspirations and voices of smaller communities in Manipur.
The Peoples`™ Movement for the common future of Manipur campaign was launched on October 10 at Imphal Hotel and will continue till the first week of November during which a series of programme like today`™s are being conducted.
Johnson said the peace accord should not be extended to Manipur since it seems to be a conspiracy among a few for their own benefit.
Manipur, he observed is a multi-ethnic State with people from various communities residing together in peace and harmony, however, many are attempting to create a divide by driving a wedge between the communities.
This campaign was launched with the aim to build up a united Manipur and tackle all internal and external influences to break the emotional and territorial integrity of Manipur, he said.
The conduct of similar meetings in various places will strengthened the public movement to challenge all attempts to disintegrate the State, he continued.
Meanwhile, eminent historiam Dr Lokendra Arambam highlighted the history of Manipur and its significance in the present scenario.
He said in order to meet both the internal and external challenges and maintain the brotherhood among the different communities; the people should be well aware of the policies and planning of the Central government.
Laisham Lokpa Village chief H Moses said the lack of unity among the people is due to the lack of proper knowledge about the history of Manipur and the past unity among the communities.
Manipur is formed not only by the Meiteis, but together by the various communities including Meiteis, Nagas, Kuki, Muslims etc. he said.
Everyone should stand for the unity among the communities and act against all strategies to break the State, he continued.
If the people unite together, the plan to break the State will be ineffective, he added.
Social scientist, Dhanabir Laishram appealed to the people to stand together to face the threat against the unity and integrity of Manipur for a better future.