Dividing Manipur will lead to civil war: Kuki Inpi

IMPHAL, May 31? The Kuki Inpi, Manipur, an apex body of the Kuki community in the State urged the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram to enlighten the Central Government not to disturb the territorial boundary of Manipur in the wake of NSCN (I-M) peace talks. A memorandum has been submitted in this regard to the minister when he was here for a three-day State visit to look into the tribal development programme in Manipur. The memorandum said that Kukis, Nagas and Meiteis have been living together since eons. ?To parcel out areas for a single community is impossible because the three communities have been living together from time immemorial in harmony.? It further added that demarcating certain area for a particular community is a call for communal disharmony and bloodshed. ?Disturbance of Manipur?s territory is to encourage a civil war like that of what is happening in Gujarat right now,? it said. The Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram left yesterday after meeting several tribal and scheduled case leaders during his sojourn. Meanwhile, to protest the communal policy of India, the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation, a powerful body which is born and brought up for the cause of safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur is all set to organise a mass-sit-in-protest on June 14. The protest will be held from 8 am to 4 pm. The organisation has appealed to all to make the programme a grand success by extending their full cooperation. The organisation is also observing June 18 as Unity Day and floral tributes will be paid at Kekrupat in Imphal to honour all those who laid down their lives to protect the territorial integrity of the State. AMUCO in a lengthy statement issued here said that the self-determination of the people of the North-east and people of Nagaland is supported by AMUCO and by the international community. However when the issue of self-determination divides the people of North-east along communal lines. AMUCO will oppose such divisive policies. It said the ceasefire extension in Manipur is an attempt to divide the people along communal lines.