The All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) on Sunday called for “unity with responsibility” among all the ethnic groups of Manipur during the celebration of its 30th foundation day at the community hall of Kwakeithel Akham Leikai in Imphal West.
The opening ceremony of the foundation day was marked by hoisting of the AMUCO flag and paying of floral tributes to the departed AMUCO members.
On the occasion, AMUCO president Nando Luwang appealed to all the community leaders of all the 34 ethnic groups to refrain from taking decisions which will hurt the sentiment of another community.
He reaffirmed that AMUCO will also stand for the state’s integrity, and called for peace and unity among all the people of Manipur to progress towards a better and a developed society.
He raised concerns about the rapid increase in the crime rate in the state using license guns, and drew the attention of the state government to speed up the process of reviewing the issuance of license guns.
He demanded government action against those who misuse licensed guns and assured of extending all possible support from AMUCO.
Concerning the degradation of the ecosystem which the state is currently facing, Nando pointed out that the people settled in both the hills and valleys are equally responsible.
Blaming only the people settling in the hills will be wrong as paddy lands, wetlands, small hills and streams in the valley are disappearing as those spaces have been used up for other purposes in the name of development. It is also a big reason for environmental degradation, he added.
Talking about the poppy cultivation by deforestation on a large scale by some groups, he said it has become a main issue of the state.
He said, during the effort of destroying poppy plantations as a part of war on drugs, the government at the same time should also discuss the strategy to be taken up to address all the possible outcomes.
He pointed out the possibility of involvement of many powerful individuals in poppy cultivation, and apprised the government to take up necessary measures and make sure that those powerful persons do not retaliate back.
Regarding the use of fertilizer on large scale by poppy farmers while the genuine farmers faced shortages of fertilizer, he appealed to the state government to strictly monitor the flow of fertilizer and make sure that all the MLAs distributed the fertilizer in a genuine manner.
Varieties of cultural programmes such as Thanga-Ta demonstration, folk dances of various ethnic groups were the attraction of the Sunday’s celebration.
AMUCO also extended a token of love and appreciation to various CSOs representatives, sisters’ organisation and media fraternity in recognition of their service towards the society.
The programme was also attended by advisor of AMUCO Ito Tongbram; president of Poirei Leimarol Apunba Meira Paibi Lup L Memchoubi; president of AMMPCO Manawar Ali as presidium members.
