IT News
Imphal, June 15:
The Organising Committee of The Great June Uprising Unity Day has issued a significant demand for the resignation of the Security Advisor and Director-General of Police (DGP) amidst recent violence in Jiribam district. Citing negligence on the part of these officials as a critical factor contributing to the escalation of violence, the committee urged them to step down on moral grounds.
The United Committee Manipur (UCM) and the All Manipur United Club Organisation (AMUCO) have been actively commemorating the incident annually at Kekrupat, Imphal, paying tribute to the martyrs who played a pivotal role in safeguarding Manipur’s boundaries.
Speaking at a media briefing today ahead of the upcoming observance ceremony of the 23rd The Great June Uprising, Nando Luwang, President of AMUCO, expressed deep concerns. He accused the Government of India of employing various strategies to undermine Manipur’s territorial integrity. Nando Luwang emphasized that The Great June Uprising Unity Day not only honors those who sacrificed their lives but also aims to safeguard Manipur’s territorial integrity against such tactics.
Nando Luwang highlighted the sequence of events, noting that violence erupted on May 3, followed by the appointment of a retired police officer as security advisor on May 4. Subsequently, the Chief Minister, who previously chaired the unified command, was removed, and the security advisor assumed the chairman’s role. Despite being in this position for a year, he criticized the security advisor for failing to effectively quell the violence.
Addressing the situation further, Nando Luwang questioned the Indian government’s stance on the use of heavy weapons by Kuki militants in their attacks. He raised concerns about the origins of these weapons, noting that Kuki-Zo militants operate in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India without significant support from Myanmar and Bangladesh. He demanded clarity from the Indian government regarding the sources of these weapons.
He also criticized the government’s selective and heavy-handed approach, alleging that it has targeted only one community by arresting volunteers. He called for unity among the people of Manipur, cautioning against actions that could undermine their collective efforts. He lamented the shattered peace in Jiribam and expressed apprehension about potential disruptions in other areas, drawing parallels to previous disturbances caused by Kuki militants in Sugnu.
Moreover, Nando Luwang placed blame on the Government of India for the suffering endured by the people of Manipur amidst the ongoing unrest. His statements underscored the urgency of addressing the root causes of violence and restoring peace in the region.
Meanwhile, Joychandra Konthoujam, chairman of the organizing committee and UCM president, expressed his dismay over the spread of violence in Jiribam district. He squarely attributed the responsibility to the Security Advisor and DGP, citing previous alerts about security threats in the district that went unheeded due to officials’ negligence, resulting in loss of innocent lives.
Accusing the central government, central forces, and armed militants of colluding to instigate conflict in Manipur, Joychandra Konthoujam emphasized the urgency of addressing issues such as illegal immigration and unauthorized poppy cultivation, which exacerbate security challenges in the region.
The upcoming observance ceremony of The Great June Uprising Unity Day, scheduled for June 18, aims to commemorate the 18 individuals who sacrificed their lives during the 2001 agitation to protect Manipur’s territorial integrity. “The sacrifices made during the 2001 agitation underscore the paramount importance of preserving Manipur’s territorial integrity,” Joychandra Konthoujam emphasized. “We urge the public to join us at Kekrupat on June 18 to honor the memory of those brave individuals who laid down their lives for our state,” he added.
