Manipur observes 24th Great June Uprising Unity Day

IMPHAL —  The 24th anniversary of the Great June Uprising Unity Day was solemnly observed at Kekrupat Memorial Park in Imphal under the aegis of the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) and United Committee Manipur (UCM).

Floral tributes were paid to the 18 individuals who lost their lives in the June 18, 2001 police firing incident.

People from across the state thronged the memorial despite intermittent drizzles to offer homage and salute the departed.

Family members of the victims, community members, civil society organisations, and political leaders, including MLAs, were present at the commemoration.

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Following the tribute, a public meeting was held, reaffirming the collective resolve to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Speaking to media on the sidelines, AMUCO President Ph. Nando Luwang, who chaired the organising committee, stated, “Let us all live together, grow together, develop together, and decide our future together instead of believing false promises. No force can disintegrate Manipur’s territorial integrity.”

The June 18 uprising in 2001 was triggered by public outrage against the inclusion of the phrase “without territorial limits” in the ceasefire agreement between the government of India and the NSCN (IM), which many feared threatened Manipur’s territorial integrity.

As part of the day’s observance, blood donation camps were organised.

Meanwhile, Imphal wore a deserted look as markets, educational institutions, and transport services remained closed in respect of the occasion.