The All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) today observed the 29th Manipur Integrity Day at Kwakeithel Akham Leikai Community Hall and paid floral tributes at the Manipur Integrity Pillar, located on the eastern side of Polo Ground near the Manipur State Museum.
The observance commemorated the historic mass rally of April 4, 1997, when nearly five lakh people gathered in Imphal to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur.
Speaking to reporters after the wreath-laying ceremony, AMUCO President Sanjoy Sorokhaibam expressed the organisation has lost its trust in the Government of India, alleging that repeated appeals and representations submitted over the years have failed to produce any meaningful response.
He stated that AMUCO has consistently opposed policies and actions of the Government of India that it believes are detrimental to Manipur. Recalling the historic April 4, 1997 rally, he said thousands of people had participated in the movement against what the organisation described as the Centre’s “proxy war” in the region.
Referring to the ethnic violence that began in May 2023, Sanjoy said that despite the deployment of security forces from the outset, the violence has not been brought under control and has instead continued, deepening divisions among communities.
He further alleged that if the Government of India genuinely intended to resolve the crisis, it could do so without delay. “It is for this reason that AMUCO no longer has faith in the Government of India,” he said.
Sanjoy also asserted that the people of Manipur have defended and protected their homeland for over a thousand years and would continue to safeguard it themselves. He added that no outsider would protect the state on their behalf.
He further announced that AMUCO is prepared to organise an even larger public rally than the historic 1997 demonstration if the situation demands.
The programme was attended by AMUCO President Sanjoy Sorokhaibam, Soraisham Memcha President of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, W. Ibema Chanu President of AMAWOVA, Atongpi Kamei President of KAMA, Ngarammi President of NPO,Joseph R. Hmar former President of Hmar Inpui (GHQ),Saka Maring Vice-President of Maring Uparoup Assembly,Michael Lamjathang Thadou General Secretary of Thadou Inpui Manipur and Meraimayum Salamat President of AMMPACO served as presidium members during the observance.