Imphal, May 08: On the initiative of the State Government to issue guns to the people of Heirok and Chajing by creating the posts of Special Police Officers (SPOs) which is the first instance in the revolutionary history of Manipur, it is more than apt in the present situation of Manipur to issue weapons to civilians to protect their lives and rights, remarked the proscribed RPF.

A statement issued by the RPF's Assistant Secretary of Communication and Publicity Lily Leima while conveying its desire to issue weapons to all the people, emphasised on the necessity of defining very clearly why and where should the weapons be utilised.

Otherwise, it may lead to more unwanted incidents amongst the people of the land, cautioned the outfit.

Quoting the resolution of the Heirok JAC that they would fight against any one challenging the rights of people whether the perpetrators are UG cadres or security personnel, the outfit remarked that had the Heirok JAC's stance been there earlier it would have been an immense contribution to the people's struggle against different instances of human rights violation by security forces.

Had the people taken such firm determination to fight against cases of human rights violation at the time of Patsoi Langjing incident in which security forces outraged many women and violated human rights grossly, the Heirangoithong massacre, Oinam killings, RIMS massacre, Malom massacre, murder of Manorama etc, it could have demonstrated vividly to the Government of India the very purpose of civilians taking up arms.

In line with its policy of not targeting State forces, the RPF sees no reason to target SPOs being recruited at Heirok and Chajing, the outfit declared.

However, the reported statement of the DGP that SPOs armed with .303 rifles and after training for just a month would be used in counter insurgency operations only implies that the people of Heirok and Chajing are being pushed to lead a civil war amongst the people of the land.

The SPOs who are not entitled to ex-gratia or pension but just Rs 3000 as monthly honorarium, are being scapegoat in place of well-trained and well-armed security forces, observed Lily Leima.

Nevertheless, it appreciated the objection of the Heirok people raised against the statement of the DGP while calling upon the SPOs to take a firm resolution against the State's plan to use them in counter insurgency operations.

Addressing other insurgent groups, the RPF observed that it's time to take a resolute stand against committing unreasonable killing of civilians, harassment, detention, acting against social norms and discipline and undertaking various activities based on false perceptions.

It's time for all the revolutionary groups to accept all the past mistakes and blunders committed in the course of the liberation struggle and pledge not to commit such acts ever again, it conveyed.

The outfit further observed that such mistakes and errors can never be justified in the course of the liberation struggle and this is clearly evident from the current situation being faced by all the insurgent groups of Manipur.

The people of Heirok and Chajing should also bear in mind that it is a false and inappropriate decision to join hands with security forces and stand against the people and liberation struggle for some blunders committed by certain insurgents.

Reiterating that the present movement is for liberation of all the people of Manipur, the outfit asserted that it is the bounden responsibility of all the people to join and support the movement.

The RPF further asked the people of Heirok and Chajing to give proper guidance and advice to the SPOs so that they turn their guns in the 'right direction' and do not come in the path of the revolutionary movement.