Decks cleared for June 18 observation

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 17 : All necessary preparations for the observation of the 18th The Great June Uprising, Unity Day 2019, have been completed.
Speaking to media persons at Kekrupat today, chairman of The Great June Uprising, Unity Day 2019 Observation Committee, Ph Deban, appealed to one and all to participate in the observation and resolve to safeguard the unity and integrity of the State.
He said that more than 200 Manipur diasporas from Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh and Myanmar have reached Manipur to take part in the event.
Deban informed that the event will begin from 7 am with religious ceremonies and  rites followed by general salute, showing of respect by Thang-Ta team and paying of floral tributes in honour of the fallen martyrs and added that a public meeting will also be organised to deliberate on the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the State and to strengthen the resolve to protect the motherland.
He continued that in the evening, a Meira offering will be organised in memory of the martyrs and during the said period, AMMIK will present numerous patriotic songs.
A blood donation camp will also be organised by the observation committee as a part of the observation, he added.
Urging all to cease work and refrain from organising any kind of entertainment events tomorrow, Deban appealed to one and all, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, as well as politicians and bureaucrats, to take part in the observation.
On the other hand, vice-chairman of the observation committee, Sunil Karam, said that 18 years ago, the brave martyrs showed that the people will even sacrifice their lives to protect Manipur and added that the observation has been organised annually to show that the people will stand against anything or anyone who threatens the integrity of the State.
He then warned the Central Government against taking any step which can harm the interest of Manipur and cautioned against any attempt to cause communal tension.
If the Central Government resorts to such unethical tactics, the State Government and the leaders should act as per the wishes of the people, he demanded.
Convenor of the observation committee, Khuraijam Athouba, conveyed that special arrangements have been made to ensure that tomorrow's observation will not disturb the traffic and the commuters and explained that vehicles coming from Imphal West will drop off the people at North AOC and go along Chingmeirong, ISBT before parking inside the indoor stadium, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.
Vehicles coming from Imphal East will drop the people at Hatta Minuthong traffic point and then head along MMTA office and park at indoor stadium while private vehicles will be parked in front of Hotel Imphal as well as DM College campus.
He further informed that tomorrow's event will be broadcast live on all local cable TV networks and will also be shown all over the world through live streaming by private IT firms through the internet.
On the other hand, he conveyed that the recent claims made by NSCN (IM) that Manipur has always been covered under the ceasefire agreement, has caused apprehension among the people and alleged that this has led to great suspicion that the Central Government has been duping the people of Manipur all these years.
Stating that this is not to be taken lightly, Athouba said that it is imperative to ascertain the truth behind the claim and appealed to all to take part in the event tomorrow to adopt a concrete resolution.
It may be recalled that Manipur erupted in protest following the inclusion of the words 'without territorial limits' in the Bangkok Agreement which was signed between NSCN (IM) and the Central Government on June 14, 2001.
This led to 18 people being killed in the protest that followed on June 18.
The martyrs were laid to rest at Kekrupat and the State has been observing the event every year ever since then.