Manipur comes alive to AMUCO's clarion call

Imphal, June 14: Responding to the clarion call from the All Manipur United Clubs Organization, thousands of people came out and staged mass sit-in-protests at all the nook and corners of Manipur today. The mass sit-in-protest was called by AMUCO to protest the divisive policies pursued by the Indian Government and to coincide with the date the Bangkok Declaration which inserted the clause 'without territorial limit' in the cease fire agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) was announced last year. AMUCO had declared that the day would be observed under the theme, "Manipur Meeyambu Machet Tana Thugainaba Hotnabagi Mayokta Leppa Numit" (Protest Against the Divisive Policy of India). The cease work day called by the All Manipur Students' Union also evoked total response with people suspending their daily activities for the day. The student body observed the day under the slogan "Angangba Eekheng Tahankhiba Numit." Even as the sit-in-protests were on all over the place AMSU activists conducted street corner meetings and exhorted the people to take part in the mass rally planned fro June 18. Attendances at all the Government offices were at best skeletal and all educational establishments remained closed for the day. Vehicles stayed off the road and no flight took off and landed at Tulihal Airport. Even the local cable networks suspended transmission for some time but had to ultimately restore transmission to enable the men folk who stayed indoors to watch the World Cup. However some tourist buses carrying passengers from outside the State arrived after 4 pm. All the commercial centres of Imphal city wore a deserted look and no shop was opened at all the main thoroughfares. Petrol pumps also remained closed. From 8 am onwards people, mostly women folk started streaming out from their homes to take part in the sit-in-protest. Local clubs and other voluntary organizations had worked over time on a mobilization drive during the past few days. The mass sit-in-protests went off peacefully and drew to a close at 4 pm. People from different walks of life and from different communities including hill people, and non local people, Punjabis and Marwaris and also took part in the sit-in-protests. Meitei Pangals and also came out in full strength to take part in the dharna. Security personnel were out in full strength to preempt any trouble. AMUCO functionaries along with media persons scurried 12 directions for news coverage. Mass sit-in-protests were also held at Thoubal, Jiribam, Moirang, Kakching, Sekmai, Kangpokpi, Bishnupur and in some parts of the hill districts. Meanwhile AMUCO in a statement has expressed its profound gratitude to all the voluntary organizations, clubs, meira paibis and individuals for heeding their call and taking part in the mass sit-in-protest. AMUCO also expressed its gratitude to the various transport associations, Indian Airlines, mass media and cable networks for their unstinted support in making the observance of the day successful. The statement added that the time has come for all to shed narrow communal outlook and unitedly fight any design to sow seeds of communal distrust and hatred. The successful sit-in-protests participated by the people is ample proof that the people of Manipur will unitedly fight divisive policies of the Indian Government. To resist the outside force which is trying to dismantle Manipur, it is imperative that the people root out communal outlook and feelings not only from Manipur but also from the whole of North East, said AMUCO. With a view to strengthen communal ties and harmony, AMUCO will also observe June 18 as Unity Day, said the statement. The statement further asked all the people to shed any feelings of differences and reaffirm their faith in peaceful co-existence and to believe in development in unity. Floral tributes will also be paid to the martyrs at Kekrupat from 7 am to 9 am on June-18, said AMUCO and asked the people to extend their co-operation. Later a programme will be held at GM Hall where patriotic songs will be rendered, said AMUCO.