Rally at 24 location demonstrate for Manipur integrity

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 2, 2018: United Committee Manipur today organised sit-in rallies at 24 locations in Imphal protesting against possible extension of Article  371 (A) to Manipur as a result of the Naga Framework Agreement which was signed between the Centre and NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015 to settle over two decades long Indo-Naga issue.

Today’s sit-ins were staged at the locations stretching from Keishampat to Ghari.

Soibam Indrani, a demonstrator at Takhel Leikai said, “We are not idle people. We abstain from our works today to rally for the cause of protection of emotional and territorial integrity of Manipur. We will not remain silent when integrity of the state is threatened.”

Various organisations have been protesting against interlocutor R.N. Ravi’s statement that “special status” would be offered to Naga people by extending Article 371A to Naga-inhabited areas, according to a report of the parliamentary standing committee.

The demonstrators also demanded a special Assembly session to resolve to protect Manipur’s integrity from the outcome of the framework agreement.

UCM president Sunil Karam earlier said the committee had decided to launch this protest series to intensify its movements to safeguard integrity. By mid-September a public seminar will be organised where experts will discuss the parliamentary report. The recommendations adopted at the seminar will be sent to both the central and the state government, Sunil said.

He appealed the people for cooperation in the agitations.