Imphal: Thousands of people belonging to different ethnic communities and religious faiths attended the Great June Uprising, Unity Day 2016.

They paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the historic mass movement of June 2001 at Kekrupat, Kangla, ancient capital of Manipur.

The 15th commemorative function included offering of floral tributes to the martyrs, public convention and a blood donation camp. The function started with a traditional musical prelude followed by rituals and prayer sessions. Then the gathering offered floral tributes to the tombs of the 18 martyrs.

They were killed on June 18, 2001, when police opened fire on people protesting against the extension of cease-fire between the government of India and NSCN(I-M) [National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M)] into the territory of Manipur.

Infuriated protestors set ablaze the Manipur legislative Assembly, chief minister’s office, Speaker’s residence, offices of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (I), Manipur State Congress Party, and residential quarters of ministers and MLAs.

The BJP and Samata Party offices were also damaged by the rampaging mob.

The 15th observation committee chairman Elangbam Johnson and vice chairman Dr Y Mani Khuman presided the public convention. Leaders of different communities, distinguished personalities and family members of the martyrs also attended the program.

A strong police team kept vigil in and around Kekrupat during the function.

In his keynote address, Observation Committee convener T Gandhi Meetei recalled that 18 people died in a spontaneous reaction from the people of Manipur against the ceasefire agreement the federal government and NSCN-IM signed at Bangkok on June 14, 2001. It had the suffix ‘without territorial limits’ that evoked massive protests in Manipur.

The slogans of the historic civil movement and the booming sounds of indiscriminate fire opened to suppress the movement still reverberate in the hearts and minds of people, he said. The episode clearly demonstrated that Manipuri people are ready to sacrifice their lives for the motherland, her boundary and integrity, Gandhi asserted.

The All Manipur United Clubs’ Organization (AMUCO) and United Committee Manipur (UCM) have been observing the Great June Uprising, Unity Day together with the people to carry forward the message of the historic movement.

Gandhi alleged that the federal government has repeatedly challenged the territorial integrity of Manipur in its efforts to appease a single militant group. The people of Manipur, he added, would never accept ‘Alternative Arrangement’, ‘Supra State’, and ‘Pan Naga Cultural Body’ and similar arrangements made with a Naga group.

He also accused New Delhi of conspiring consistently to create communal disharmony and animosity in Manipur.

Gandhi warned that all communities of Manipur would suffer “an irreparable loss” for if any communal conflict arises out of such demands such as Greater Nagalim, Kuki State and other ethno-centric demands. Some Kuki militant groups with whom the government initiated political dialogue a few days back have raised the demand for a separate Kuki state.

Manipur will not tolerate challenge to the integrity of the state and its territorial boundary that was carved by ‘our ancestors,’ Gandhi said. At the same time, Manipuri people are committed to peaceful co-existence of all indigenous communities. All the indigenous people of the northeastern Indian region must prepare well to face the impacts of the all pervading force of globalization and India’s Act East Policy.

Elangbam Johnson stressed the need to study events since the government and NSCN-IM signed a cease fire agreement in 1997.

(Source: The Sangai Express)