AMUCO pays homage under the theme 'Unity Day'

Imphal, June 18: As announced earlier the All Manipur United Clubs' Organization paid homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur by organizing a function at GM Hall today under the theme "Unity Day." Leaders of different communities turned up in full strength to participate in the function. AMUCO president Ito Tongbram presided over the function while leaders drawn from all section of society and communities took the presidium chair. Addressing the function, Zangzawin Zou from the United Zomi Organization questioned whether there is any unity between the hill and valley people and further asked the wisdom behind the emergence of different militant groups based on ethnicity. The Zou leader further said only a united effort can bring in peace and added that there is point in having so many different underground outfits. They should all come together under one umbrella, he opined. Inter-ethnic clashes and animosity will not augur well for anybody, he added. If peace is to descend on Manipur then it is important that people of different communities shed their differences and come together as one, said Zou adding that there is also the need to change the nomenclature of the two Parliamentary seats. The term Inner and Outer ought to be changed and it would do a whole lot of good if the matter is brought before the Assembly and discussed, he added. Z Samsorung Koireng who represented the Koireng community said that the divisive policies of Delhi have to be met with a stern hand and for this unity of the people is a must. He lamented that Manipur today can no longer be called Sanaleibak. Padmashree Khelchandra who also attended the function said that both the Nagas and the Kukig gave all their might in resisting the British invasion of Manipur. He also gave a detailed account of the territorial boundaries of Manipur since the time of the Maharaja. Shyam Kamei from ZUCAM (Zeliangrong United Clubs' Association, Manipur) said that the time has come for all to try and understand each other. Biren Dangmei said there is unity amongst the people but the threat posed to the territory of Manipur still continues. N Mangi Devi representing Yaiskul Women's Association said that emotional integrity amongst all the different communities residing in Manipur is the need of the hour. Only when emotional integrity is achieved, will unity and peace prevail, she observed. Stating that Manipur is one of the oldest entities in Asia, AMUCO's advisor, Th Iboyaima said that Manipur existed as an independent entity for long without any wants. S Sobita whose leg had to be amputated following a bullet wound in the June 18 uprising last year noted the homage paid to the martyrs and said such practice should go on without interruption every year. AMUCO president Ito Tongbram exhorted the people to come together as one and added that along with territorial boundary there is also the need to set up a 'human boundary'. Peaceful coexistence is the need of the hour, he noted. After the function artistes from the Kuki Baptist Church, Roop Raag and Muslim community rendered patriotic songs. Noted musician Reuben Tangkhul also led a troupe in rendering the patriotic songs. Earlier in the day AMUCO also led the people in paying floral tributes at the Kekrupat Memorial sites.