IMPHAL, Sept 24: Considering the current situation of the state, we need to stand united keeping other things behind for the moment said Chairman Manipur Naga People’s Front, John Francis, during a press conference somewhere at Indo Burma border yesterday.
The MNPF Chairman, a media first timer expressed that MNPF was officially formed on March 11, 2013, with the core theme to unite and fight for common sovereignty working together with other like-minded revolutionary groups of Manipur. The Chairman maintained his party was established early 2011 and none of its cadres, including himself, are former or ex-cadre of any UG groups, hence stating that MNPF is not a factional group.
The press conference was also attended by advisor MNPF, Joy Kasung, and Assistant Publicity, Thomas Numai.
No future awaits anyone if a fight is fought in the name of a community, Francis further said commenting on the recent Naga Peace Accord. He further said a community does not necessarily have to live in one territory, therefore Naga Peace Accord will not succeed as the demands are NSCN-IM centric solely.
He added that it is fourth time Government of India extended an accord i.e. 1947 (9-Point Agreement), 1960 (16-Point Agreement), 1975 (Shillong Accord) and 2015 (Naga Peace Accord). The last became necessary as the Central Government did not agree on the previous demands and so the current and recent agenda will not serve to meet aspirations of the people, he added.
The MNPF Chairman further expressed that as a revolutionary organisation, the MNPF has fought Indian Occupation Forces like Assam Rifles and CRPF in the recent years. He added that Tangkhul Naga Long office was also attacked by the party as the office had become a lobby centre for NSCN-IM and they have counterfeited the constituency made during the establishment of the office.
The hills and valley people of Manipur have an age-old bond and very integrated history of fraternity which will be hard to severe, he said. He further maintained that people of the hills and valley of Manipur need to unite to counter the propaganda of divide and rule policy of the Central Government.