The present crisis in Manipur has been triggered by the uncontrolled influx of illegal immigrants into the state and the whole debacle had been carefully staged using militancy with the aim to materialise a breeding ground for illegal immigrants in the form of separate administration, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) said on its foundation day on Monday.
The 23rd UCM Foundation Day was held at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, Imphal.
Speaking at the occasion, the UCM president said militants, in their venture for a separate administration, have taken numerous innocent lives and destroyed countless properties. As such, the chief minister should be leading the people during the crucial juncture and cannot resign, he added.
He maintained that the chief minister cannot turn his back during the crisis and stated that he could resign only when the crisis was resolved and a solution was derived.
“Amid the chief minister’s assertion to resign, few power-mongering politicians are strategizing to move up the power ladder,” he said, adding that “they will be held responsible if the outcome of the crisis is against the people’s sentiments”.
As such, he called upon all sections in Manipur to stand united during this crucial juncture and not be swayed by whimsical ideologies.
He mentioned that the MLAs had been elected to represent the people and that they could not indulge in anything which could infringe upon the collective interests.
“But there are certain areas which the authorities should focus on even during the crisis such as education and agriculture,” he said.
He stated that authorities concerned should seriously strive to set up a policy to initiate agricultural works in the sensitive peripheral areas of the valley.
“Even if the crisis is taking place, people have to survive and eat but there will be nothing to eat for next year if agricultural work is stalled,” he said.
He further highlighted that the education sector had to start functioning otherwise youths would be left astray.
“The government seriously needs to rethink the whole structure and their functions during the crisis, if not, the state’s development will be seriously impeded,” he said.
He also emphasised the need for the Meitei community to increase their demography since the population had been on the decline for the past few decades.
The UCM president further stated that UCM along with the people would continue to combat elements which threatened the unity and territorial integrity of Manipur.
UPF president Nongthombam Rupachandra, IPSA president Tourambam Birjit, NIPCO president Oinam Premjit, PANDAM president Yumnamcha Dilipkumar and ACOM Lup-Kangleipak Soraijam Sanjit among others also attended the observance.
