UNLF observes 60th foundation day solemnly Koireng-led UNLF reaffirms commitment

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 24 : On the occasion of its 60th foundation day, the Koireng-led UNLF has reaffirmed its commitment to fight for the sovereignty of Manipur.
The main function was held at a location between Bishnupur and Kakching district and it was participated by a large number of people.
MPA Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Chaoba opened the function by unfurling the party’s flag.
This was followed by offering of revolutionary salute and tributes to all the martyrs by MPA fighters and the people.
The gathering also observed silence for two minutes in honour of the martyrs.
The annual statement of the outfit's Central Committee was also read out at the function.
MPA COAS Chaoba said that today is a day of celebration but the current situation and the people’s suffering do not warrant any celebration.
The main objective of the outfit is restoration of Manipur’s sovereignty. However, deviating a little from the main objective, the outfit at present has been facing the aggression of armed Kukis who are waging a war to exterminate the Meitei community allegedly at the instigation of India, Chaoba said.
The principal objectives of the proxy war being waged by India using armed Kukis is suppression of the revolutionary organisations operating in the North East region and if possible, annihilate them, he said.
India has been implementing this strategy since a long time back.
The heightened confrontation between pro-democracy forces and the military junta in neighbouring Myanmar presented a golden opportunity to both India and armed Kukis, Chaoba said.
Earlier, when revolutionary organisations were operating in the hills, India and armed Kukis could not exercise any power.
“As we grew a little weaker, whereas India’s strategy became more effective, armed Kuki groups and other armed groups fell into the trap of New Delhi and we are currently facing this situation”, the MPA COAS said.
He said that the current issues and the ongoing aggression cannot be faced with weapons alone. It needs collective efforts and volunteers with a strong spirit of nationalism, he said. The Government of India’s strategy has succeeded in slowing down the liberation on one hand and on the other, it has bred many people who are happy to live subservient to India, he said.
“Meanwhile, Indian armed forces have been restraining us in every respect while Kukis are given free hands. Let us give up the false hope of making any progress as long as Manipur remains a part of India. The only means to resolve all the existing issues is independence of Manipur”, Chaoba asserted.
On the current crisis, the MPA COAS said that the crisis was created and is being prolonged by ad-hoc measures and policies taken up by political parties from time to time with the sole objective of winning elections.
All political parties have a common intention to suppress the liberation movement, he said.
In the wake of the military coup in Myanmar, the MP of Sagaing Division was given shelter at Tengnoupal.
He was then shifted to the quarters of Nemcha Kipgen and Letpao Haokip.
At the same time, Assam Rifles gave training to around 1000 people at New Samtal, he said.
It is a matter of grave concern that people have a tendency to see hill people and plain people separately when any conflict arises.
“Leaving aside the community which is currently waging a war, we must know all the indigenous communities and we should not commit the blunder of seeing all communities as enemies”, he said.
Noting that a large number of weapons looted from police stations and Government armouries in the wake of the current crisis have been scattered far and wide, the MPA COAS expressed deep fear about what would happen among the Meitei people if these weapons are turned toward Meitei civilians.
Since the day the UNLF launched the liberation movement, around 300 of its cadres have sacrificed their lives, he said.
Without the people’s participation, the revolutionary movement will never succeed. Manipur will disappear when the Meitei community is exterminated  and Manipur will be wiped out if the revolutionary movement dies out, he said.
Many other leaders of the outfit, Meira Paibi leaders and a large number of people attended the function.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by the outfit’s Secretary of Publicity M Shak-hen said that the foundation day was also observed at the party’s Chqs, MPA’s Ghs and MPA battalions located inside and outside Manipur.
The foundation day function held at the central headquarters was graced by Chairman NC Koireng, officiating General Secretary M Iboyaima, Secretary of Agriculture and Environment Y Abo and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare O Chingkheinganbi as presidium members.
Among others, the function was attended by Secretary of Organisation Ksh Yoiheiba, Secretary of Finance M Munan, Military Affairs Committee member K Puyaning, senior and staff officers of different departments, MPA VCS, party cadres, officers and NCOs.
Observing silence for two minutes in honour of the martyrs who had laid down their lives in the course of the liberation movement, unfurling the party’s flag, saluting the party’s flag, offering of floral tributes to martyrs an reading out of the Central Committee’s statement were the main features of the foundation day functions, it said.