UNLF greets people of Manipur on its 50th Anniversary
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 23 2014:
The proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has greeted the people of Manipur on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
According to a statement of the Central Committee of the UNLF, the outfit was founded 50 years ago on November 24, 1964 with the main objective of regaining the right to self-determination of the Manipuri people.
The UNLF came into existence under the leadership of Kalanlung Kamei as its President, Thongkhopao Singsit as Vice-President, Arambam Somarendra as General Secretary, Nongmaithem Pahari as COAS, Longjam Manimohon as Ogrnanization (Hills), Nk Sanajaoba as Organization (Youths) and Laishram Kanhai as Central Commitee Member.
Manipur was an independent state of the Southeast Asia which has existed for about 3500 years, besides having a glorious history of more than 2000 years.
However, the state lost its freedom in the aftermath of the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 and later annexed by India in 1949 shortly after attaining independence from the British.
The objective of founding the UNLF was none other than regaining the lost freedom of the people of Manipur.
The UNLF is committed to ensure the right to self-determination to the Manipuri people as guaranteed by the United Nations in its numerous charters, the statement said.
The UNLF is also striving to create an egalitarian society with autonomy at all levels of administration.
The outfit also endorses the liberation movement s in different regions of Western Southeast Asia (WESEA).
The UNLF is against oppression and suppression of people in any form under the neo-colonialism.
The outfit also decries the Indian neo-colonists for trying to exploit the people of Manipur to the most extreme.
Manipur was first annexed by India as a Part-C state whereby considering the Manipuri people as the lowest subjects.
India has been suppressing Manipur in all aspects.
There has been no substantial economic development in the State ever since its annexation by India.
The rich culture of Manipur is now greatly threatened by the Indian culture through a colonial form of cultural assimilation, the statement mentioned.
The UNLF, in the statement, further decried various major projects taken up by the Indian Government in the State saying that these projects are meant only to benefit the Indian colonialists and their cronies.
The unrestraint influx of migrants to Manipur has greatly affected its demographic pattern.
Many colonies of non-Manipuris have now come up at various parts of the state.
The valiant members of the UNLF along with the people of Manipur have been resisting the colonial rule of the Indians for the last 50 years and the people of Manipur have so far achieved many great things.
However, the right to self-determination of the people of Manipur is yet to be achieved and so the people must further join hands to strengthen the liberation movement, the UNLF said.