The United Committee Manipur (UCM) on Saturday reaffirmed its stand to protect the integrity of Manipur as it observed its 21st foundation day at its office Lamphel, Imphal.
UCM secretary general Ng Deba Meetei while delivering the key-note address of the function said a collective body of civil bodies called ‘Organising Committee of Territorial Integrity of Manipur (OCTIM)’ was formed in August 4, 1997, and a mass rally was organised against the peace talk between the NSCN-IM and the Centre, UCM stated in a release.
Deba said, a mass rally was also organised by the Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL)and the National Identity Protection Council (NIPCO) on September 28, 2000, and on June 18, 2001 there was another mass uprising against the June 14, 2001 Bangkok agreement in which 18 people lost their lives during the uprising, it added.
Following the uprising, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) was formed on July 3, 2001 as an apex body of all civil voluntary organisations in the state to safeguard Manipur’s integrity. Deba further said that UCM welcomes the talks between the NSCN-IM and the Centre but it will not remain silent if the talks affect the unity and territorial integrity of the state, the release mentioned.
UCM president Joychandra said the ceasefire agreement and talks between NSCN-IM and the Centre mentioned that the cease fire was extended ‘without any territorial limit’.
He said that as a reaction, the people of the state had a mass meeting on July 15, 2001 and protested against the ceasefire agreement on June 18, wherein 18 people lost their lives. However, the protest yielded a good outcome as the three words ‘without territorial limit’ were later removed from the agreement signed as a part of the peace talks.
Joy further said that UCM will always stand against any divisive police of the Centre and also appealed to the people to stay vigilant.
President of UCM Joychandra Konthoujam and consultative members of UCM H Ibotombi Khuman and L Jadhu attended the observation as presidium members.
