Imphal, July 20: Issuing a series of dos and don'ts to the members and cadres of the UNLF, its chairman Sana Yaima has asked his men not to recruit anyone below the age of 18 .

In a statement issued to the press, the UNLF leader has instructed his men not to bring anyone below the age of 18 to join the party.

Even if they come on their accord they should be sent back after advising them that they may join the outfit when they come of age.

Outlining the code of conduct for the members and cadres of the outfit, Sana Yaima said that looting money and properties from the public will not be tolerated.

Moreover the cadres were instructed not to throw their weight around and bully the people for the strength of the revolutionary movement is sustained from the support of the public.

As such it is important to have a good rapport with the public, said the statement and urged all to understand the essence of public support.

Moreover no members or cadres of the UNLF will be allowed to consume any intoxicants as these substances have an adverse impact on the mind and body.

No members or cadres should misbehave with women and children, said Sana Yaima and reminded all that this code is part of the principle of the UNLF.

No cadre or member should demand items like mobile phone from the public, decreed the leader and added that expensive gifts presented by friends or well wishers should not be accepted but returned graciously.

Moreover no cadre or member should interfere in any dispute between groups without the sanction of the Standing Committee.

If any member or cadre is found violating the code of conduct the punishment commensurate to the misconduct will be awarded.

Explaining the reason behind the issuance of the code of conduct, Sana Yaima said that of late there has been a growing divide between the people and the revolutionary outfits due to a number of factors.

Addressing his men, the UNLF leader said that even though a number of MPA cadres are carrying on the fight in the hill areas and taking up a number of welfare projects in the valley area, there are still a good number of people who view the UNLF in the wrong light.

This shows that there is a loophole somewhere.

Observing that armed cadres have been going against the people in the valley area compounded by the lack of any corrective measures being taken up and instead turning on the people using force and intimidations have all led to a growing chasm between the revolutionaries and the public.

The uprising against the armed groups at Heirok, Lilng Chajing and Ningthoukhong are glaring examples of the growing rift, said Sana Yaima and added that even though UNLF was not directly involved in any of the cases, the overall message is the people distancing themselves from the armed movement.

Stating that the revolutionary are the fishes and the public the water, the UNLF leader said that the growing differences with the public is akin to drawing out the water the fishes live.

At one point of time all cadres were referred affectionately as Naharols but today they are increasingly being seen as bullies who throw their weight around arrogantly, observed Sana Yaima.

There have been many instances when armed cadres had overstepped their line and gone against the interest of the public, using force to collect money from the public, three of four persons demanding money from the public in the name of one outfit and on top there are impostors extorting money from the public in name of revolution are all factors for the growing schism, said the statement.

Moreover there is also the presence of agents working on behalf of groups from the smaller community in connecting money from the public on commission basis, the presence of some groups formed by deserters and imposing heavy demands on the public.

As long as this trend continues the ties between the revolutionaries and the public will plummet, observed Sana Yaima.

Contributing to the divide is the conduct of some cadres who consume alcohol and other intoxicants which is the anti-thesis to the conduct of revolutionaries, said the statement.

Just carrying an AK 47 rifle does not make a man a revolutionary, said Sana Yaima and added that this weapon can be carried by anyone including criminals, terrorists and security forces.

The qualities of a revolutionary should include the courage to oppose the imposition of any alien rule, fight against the injustice meted out to the weak and minorities and to have the ability to sacrifice everything to realise the aspirations of the common people.

Urging all to work sincerely with the realisation that there is a challenge before all revolutionaries to win back the trust and confidence of the people as well as to counter the agenda of the Government of India, is the need of the hour, said Sana Yaima.

What is happening at Heirok and Lilong Chajing today is the explosion of the bottled up frustration and anger of the people against the activities of the armed groups, said the statement.

The UNLF has been able to withstand the third largest Army in the world because of the trust and confidence of the people and the lesson to be learnt here is that the revolutionary movement is sustained by the support and co-operation of the public, noted the UNLF leader.