AMUCO observes 21st Protest Day

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 14 : The All Manipur United Clubs Orga-nisation (AMUCO) observed the "21st Protest Day against the Divisive Policy of the Government of India" at Kwakeithel Bazar, today.
At the observance, AMUCO president Nando Luwang said that the Protest Day is being observed every year to recollect the massive protest staged against the extension of ceasefire agreement between the NSCN-IM and Government of India outside Nagaland on June 14, 2001.
He further stated that the Bangkok Declaration signed between the Muivah faction of the NSCN and the Government of India  on June 14, 2001 threatened the territorial integrity of Manipur as the controversial phrase "Without Territorial Limit"  was inserted in  the ceasefire agreement.
Saying that the people of Manipur reacted sharply to the signing of the controversial agreement by holding a massive protest on June 14, 2001 itself as it could create enmity among the people, Nando Luwang said that ceasefire means a temporary suspension of fighting and it is a path to peace.
"It's not that the people of Manipur and AMUCO don't want peace, but the agreement signed between  the NSCN-IM and Government was only a ploy to disintegrate the State and create animosity among the people," it claimed.
"The agreement signed between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India was never aimed at cessation of fighting and as such people of Manipur responded to it with a protest," Nando asserted.
The protest of June 14, 2001 was followed by a general strike that lasted 66 hours, Nando said and  added that AMUCO elucidated to the people about the   possible ramifications of the agreement during the period of the general strike.
People of Manipur demonstrated their commitment to save the unity and integrity of Manipur by staging a massive historic civil movement on June 18, 2001, he said.
Saying that the seed of the massive people's response seen in June 2001 was shown by the Protest  Day wherein a large number of Manipuris assembled to protest against the Bangkok Declaration, Nando maintained that the story could have gone in another direction had the AMUCO not reached out to the people and informed them about the threat posed by the ceasefire agreement.
He also said that it was the public uproar of June 18, 2001 which showcased the devotion of Manipuris to protect their land.
Continuing that the Government has been scheming to disintegrate Manipur by using different tactics, Nando maintained that many more elements/agents have emerged since then and they have been posing grave threat to Manipur and her integrity. Saying that the people of Manipur will not hesitate to show the same valour as that of June 18 if the   wholeness of Manipur is put on stake, Nando appealed to all the people to be on guard so as to keep the unity and integrity of Manipur intact.