IMPHAL, Jun 12: On the occasion of the 15th Protest Day (June 14), the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) has called upon all the people of the land to unite together and re-endorse the collective stand to fight together and defeat all forces which are threatening the territorial integrity of Manipur and unity of her people. These days neighbouring Nagaland and Myanmar are openly challenging the territorial integrity of Manipur. As in the previous years, the Protest Day would be observed on June 14 at 11 am at Kwakeithel Bazar. A statement issued by AMUCO said that it would never compromise on the territorial integrity of Manipur.
Elaborating on the significance of the Protest Day, AMUCO asserted that the public convention held on June 14, 2001 and the resolutions adopted therein served as a precursor to the historic mass protest of June 18, 2001. It was on June 14, 2001 when the cease fire agreement (without territorial limits) signed between Government of India and NSCN-IM at Bangkok was declared to the public. The public convention held on June 14 set the agenda and direction of the June 18 mass protest where 13 people were martyred and hundreds suffered casualties. Five other people achieved martyrdom in the subsequent agitation.
Ultimately, the words ‘without territorial limits’ were removed from the ceasefire agreement.
Soon after the Government of India and NSCN-IM signed the first cease fire agreement on August 1, 1997, AMUCO organised a mammoth public rally on August 4 same year.
In commemoration of the historic rally which sent a clear message to the whole world against the Government of India’s divisive policies, AMUCO has been observing Integrity Day on August 4 every year.
