By A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, July 13: In what could be termed as a significant step towards bringing unity amongst different revolutionary groups operating in Manipur, a joint statement of seven underground groups has said, top leaders of at least seven underground groups operating in Manipur sat together for the first time and discussed various issues concerning revolutionary movements being waged in Manipur and elsewhere in the South East Asian region and agreed to form a Coordination Committee.
The joint press statement was signed by seven top leaders of militant outfits operating in Manipur namely Ksh Laba Meitei, president KCP, N Oken, general secretary KYKL, N Nongdrenkhomba, chairman PREPAK, I Chaoren, president RPF, Kh Pambei, acting chairman UNLF, Laan- ngamba Luwang, chairman UPPK and L Paliba, chairman, PREPAK (Pro).
According to the joint statement, top leaders of the seven underground groups sat together for two days from July 8 to 9 and made acquaintance with each other without any hesitation before discussing on wide ranging issues concerning the revolutionary movement in Manipur.
One important discussion made during the two days meet was the inability of UG groups operating in Manipur to come under one roof and also the impact given to the people due to working of splintered UG groups, the joint statement said.
Regarding the outcome of the joint meeting, the joint statement said a coordination committee comprising of at least top two leaders of the seven underground groups have been formed in the line of forming a United Front so as to bring unity among revolutionary groups having the similar goal of regaining freedom of Manipur. It said setting up a United Front would enable revolutionary groups to work together in the struggle for regaining freedom of the people of Manipur from the yoke of India’s colonial regime. The joint statement asserted that Manipur was forcibly annexed by India.
It said RPF president I Chaoren has been appointed as convenor of the just formed Coordination Committee. The main reason behind reaching such a landmark agreement amongst seven revolutionary groups has been due to people’s persistant call for bringing unity amongst underground groups operating in Manipur and also due to neccesity of the revolutionary groups to work together under one banner.
While sharing the outcome of the meeting, the joint statement further said revolutionary movement in Manipur will now be able to move forward with united effort and with new vigour. Leaders of the seven underground, through the joint statement, also appeal people to exhort steps being taken up towards bringing unity of underground groups for a good cause.
We hope no more harassment to the weak and innocent civilians, no extortion. Use gun to only those who has a gun. Stay within the limits of revolutionary principles, never interfere unnecessarily to other problems not strictly related to revolution. The old methods of hit and run will not produce any dividend now, this is a wonderful world now you all can be tracked down easily. GOI would not mind you operating in the thick jungles. Manipur society has a drastic change during the past decade there is a wide gap between the rich and the poor. The rich and their families are going up higher and higher while the poor becomes poorer day by day. There are a lot who cannot afford to go to school inspite of the free education system.
I AM SO THRILLED AND JOY TO LEARNED THAT AFTER SO LONG THEY HAVE
REALIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING TOGETHER AND HOPE THIS WILL BRING CLOSER AND STRONGER TO FIGHT BACK INDIAN VIGOROUSLY AND DRIVE OUT ILLEGAL INDIAN IN THE STATE.
I AM SO THRILLED AND JOY TO LEARNED THAT AFTER SO LONG THEY HAVE REALIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING TOGETHER AND HOPE THIS WILL BRING BACK PEACE AND HARMONY IN THE STATE.