Newmai News Network Imphal | August 4 The call for protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur marked the Manipur Integrity Day today in Imphal. A mammoth rally was held in Imphal on August 4, 1997 under the aegis of the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) triggered by apprehension of disintegration of Manipur with the signing of Ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India. Since then, AMUCO has been observing the day every year with the reaffirmation that the territory of Manipur will be safeguarded at any cost. Speaking on the occasion today at Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU) Hall in Imphal, AMUCO president Ph Devan called upon all the communities in Manipur to stand united in protecting the territory of Manipur. The AMUCO president while recalling the 1997 mega event on this day said that the mammoth rally was a show of solidarity to the Manipur territorial integrity stand. Devan also said, “We are not against the Ceasefire agreement between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India but we are against the Ceasefire without territorial limits.” The AMUCO president then said that ever since Manipur became part of the Indian Union the people have been suffering. Devan alleged that the ‘divide and rule policy’, Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and other detrimental policies have been employed in the State, and “because of which there is immense misunderstanding between the hills and the valley communities in Manipur.” The AMUCO president then said that so many measures have been taken up by the government to exploit the resources of Manipur. Earlier in the morning, a large number of people paid floral tributes at the Integrity Pillar at BT Road in the heart of Imphal. AMUCO is one major organization of Manipur spearheading the movement to protect the territory of Manipur. From time to time, the organization cautions the Government of India that the ongoing dialogues with the NSCN (IM) should not affect the Manipur territorial integrity.
