Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), a women body formed to safeguard the territorial integrity and identity today observed its 14th Foundation Day at Manipur Press Club.RK Ranendrajit, Editor, Freedom, Imphal, P Sakhi, President AMKIL and Y.Nabachandra, President UCM graced the occasion as dignitaries.AMKIL was set up in this month of 2000 after consultation between various women bodies of the state. The Women apex body in association with another organisation called National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) had organised a mass rally on September 28 of 2000 to protect the territorial Integrity of the state in the backdrop of the signing of cease fire agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM.Speaking on the occasion, Y Nabachandra blamed the state government authority over its failure in handling the Ukhrul problem. He said government seem to have acted properly in the beginning but its inability to tackle the situation there has broadened the problem. Mentioned may be made that following the dead of two civilian protestors who were taking part in the UNC organised rally on August 30, the UNC has been imposing indefinite blockade along the National Highways and Naga Inhabited area since 6 am of September 4. Nabachandra further said that the state government is functioning like an NGO who use to beg grant from the central government to run its office.“Manipuri now has started demanding the status of Scheduled tribe after 65 years of Independent, which means that we are moving backward,” Nabachandra added.Other speakers on the occasion stressed on the need for a firm stand for protection of the territorial integrity of the state.
