IMPHAL, July 30: Proscribed outfit, UNLF has said in a press statement, “The Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Gautam Mukhopadhyay’s remark – “The Shija Hospital’s visit to Myanmar would go a long way in changing the Myanmarese people’s notion of Manipuris being very hostile” is “cruel and sarcastic”.
“His intention to create a bad blood in the minds of the peoples of both Myanmar and Manipur is very transparent”, the statement said.
“What the Indian Ambassador intentionally did forget is that historically, Manipur has closer affinity to its South East Asian neighbours racially, culturally and socially; and enjoyed good relations with them although there were skirmishes at times”, it said.
“Though India gained its freedom after a long and hard fought struggle against the British; it immediately assumed the role of a colonial power in the region and annexed the smaller Western South East Asian kingdoms (called North-East by India), some treacherously and some forcibly”, the UNLF statement said.
“The cynical remark of the Indian ambassador cannot dampen the spirit of friendliness and co-operation between the two neighbours as both the people of Manipur and Myanmar are well aware of India’s dubious intentions”, it said.