The International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), Kangleipak during its silver jubilee celebration on Wednesday alleged the Central and state government of exercising "suppressive" tactics on the people of Manipur.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the observance, IPSA president Tourangbam Birjit expressed strong objections against the cabinet decision to set 1961 instead of 1951 as the base year for defining the native people in regard to the implementation of ILPS in the state.
The move was an act of insult to all the indigenous people of Manipur, he said. IPSA and the people of Manipur will never accept 1961 as the base year for ILPS, he added.
The statement made by Union Home minister Amit Shah on making Hindi as compulsory subject in school syllabus was a big step to suppress the regional or state language, he said.
IPSA strongly condemned such a move by the union government, he added.
He further recalled the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign which was kicked off from August 13 in connection with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, and termed it an "ugly move" of the government to compress and suppress the Patriots Day (August 13) and Manipur Independent Day (August 14).
“As Manipur is now a part of the Union of India, we honour and respect the tri-colour. However, the government's order to hoist tri-colour from August 13 is considered as an agenda to suppress the two days which most sentimentally attach to the people of Manipur," he said.
Birjit called for unity among different ethnic groups of Manipur for a peaceful and prosperous Manipur.
Various CSO leaders and media personalities were felicitated with a ‘Lengyan Phi’ (traditional shawl), acknowledging their contributions towards society during the observance.
It was also attended by JNIMS director Dr Deben Laishram as chief guest; national and international awardee H Ibotombi Khuman; UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam; Mao Union president Puni Losii; Tangkhul Naga Foothills Organisation vice-president RV Son Zimik and Aimol Tribe Union president RT Akhel Aimol as guests of honour.
