Imphal, March 28: Conveying deep pain and shock at the death of three youths including two girls at a Thabal Chongba venue in Heirok Part II Laikon Maning in the night of March 24 when some PREPAK cadres attempted to overpower one individual, the proscribed UNLF has called upon all the revolutionary groups to introspect and retrospect so that such a tragedy does not recur.

A statement issued by the outfit's senior publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba while appreciating the sincerity and honesty of the PREPAK to own responsibility for the tragedy and to tender an open apology, expressed sincere desire to take up stringent measures on the part of PREPAK in order to avoid such unfortunate incidents in the future.

Recalling that such casualties to civilians resulting from errors and mistakes of revolutionary groups fighting against the alien rule had occurred on earlier occasions too, the UNLF noted that despite such costly and fatal mistakes, the people of Manipur have been forgiving the revolutionary groups whenever they issued sincere apologies.

Yet, the hard stance and actions adopted by the people of Heirok against the revolutionary movement following the recent blunder is quite unfortunate for all.

The words and deeds of the Heirok people which appear to go against the revolutionary movement encompassing all the revolutionary groups rather than singling out the individual or group which committed the mistake and discipline the individual/group concerned properly can never be justified, noted Yoiheiba.

Taking advantage of the ongoing struggle, many anti-social elements are operating as gangs and have been committing various criminal and anti-social activities.

These gangs have been extorting and robbing from the public in the name of the revolutionary movement, he observed.

Just as people ought to understand the distinctive difference between these armed gangs and the revolutionary groups fighting to restore the lost sovereignty of the land, the revolutionary groups too should demonstrate the difference with pro-people deeds and principles.

Asserting that the liberation struggle will decide the future of the people, the outfit maintained that it would not be correct for the people of Heirok to view and treat revolutionary groups as gangs.

Any mistake or fault committed may be exposed but it would not be a justified resolution to stand against the liberation movement by accusing and drawing in all the revolutionary groups for any fault committed by a particular group or individual, Yoiheiba asserted.

On the other hand, the revolutionary groups should act in line with revolutionary principles taking due notice of the situation which is causing anguish and frustration to the people.

Otherwise, it would be hard to advance the liberation struggle of the land, Yoiheiba concluded.