Pledge to protect integrity marks June 18 observation

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 18: The 25th Great June Uprising, Unity Day was observed today at Kekrupat with a renewed pledge to protect the integrity of Manipur.
Marking a display of unity among indigenous communities, the event brought together people from different communities who paid homage to those who laid down their lives defending the State’s territorial integrity.
Organised by the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and the United Committee Manipur (UCM), the observance began at 5 am with a Yakairol (awakening song), followed by religious rituals and the hoisting of AMUCO and UCM flags at half-mast.
Members of Manipur Meitei-Pangal Welfare Organisation also took part in the observance.
The homage ceremony which began with a general salute by Thang-Ta students continued till evening.
People from various communities, civil society organisations, student bodies, women’s groups, and family members of the martyrs paid floral tributes to the 18 martyrs who were killed in police firing on June 18, 2001.
At the event, YK Dhiren, chairman of the Organising Committee, said that the June uprising is one of the most historic events in Manipur’s history.
It was a spontaneous movement, he said, recalling the massive 2001 uprising, when tens of thousands of people came out onto the streets to protest against a controversial pact signed by the Govt of India (GoI), which posed a serious threat to Manipur’s integrity.
He added that over 20 people were killed during the movement.
Even though the event occurred 25 years ago, he claimed that the Government of India continues to implement divisive policies to break Manipur apart.
Saying that the June uprising brought unity among the people of Manipur and highlighted the importance of coexistence instead of fostering enmity among communities, Dhiren reiterated that the June 2001 movement is a significant chapter in the State’s history, which compelled the GoI to withdraw an agreement that was detrimental to Manipur.
Despite the scale of the movement, there was not a single case of communal clash, he added.
Saying that the event also demonstrated unity among the Manipuris, Dhiren appealed to the people to remain aware of the alleged Government of India’s scheme to disintegrate Manipur.
Claiming that the Government of India has been launching a proxy war in the State using Kuki narco-terrorists, he appealed to the people of Manipur to work together to resolve the crisis plaguing the State.
He further urged all Manipuris to refrain from imposing blockades or other measures for community centric interest, saying such actions harm everyone.
The only way to defeat the divisive policies of GoI is unity among the people, he said.
Sanjoy Sorkhaibam, vice chairman of the Observation Committee, claimed that the Government of India has been supporting Kuki militant groups amid the ongoing crisis.
Stating that both the Central and State Governments have failed to resolve the crisis despite repeated assurances, he questioned how many security personnel would need to be deployed in Manipur for the situation to be brought under control.