Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 30 2009:
Reacting sharply to the assertion of ex-MP from Assam and Finance Secretary of the All India Kishan Sabha, Nurul Hooda that the separation of Manipur from India or sovereignty of Manipur would not be plausible, the proscribed Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) has asked immediate withdrawal of the statement.
Withdrawal or no withdrawal of the statement would be decisive for existence of CPI(M) on the soil of Manipur, the outfit cautioned in a statement issued by its department of publicity chief GM Changjou.
The question of Manipur's sovereignty has already reached the United Nations and has been recognised by the international community.
The National liberation movement of Manipur was built up after a prolonged struggle and momentous sacrifice at the cost of hundreds of revolutionaries who paid with their lives or are languishing in prisons, said the outfit.
In the course of the liberation movement, many Manipuri women have been outraged by security personnel while the larger section of the populace has been reeling under the alien rule.
Blurting out unnecessary words and making unthoughtful comments on the liberation movement would amount to ignorant children playing with fire.
Nurul Hooda's comment only exposed his political immaturity and ignorance about Manipur, remarked the RPF.
A novice in international politics like Nurul Hooda cannot understand when and under what conditions political dialogues should be held to bring a solution to the question of Manipur's sovereignty.
Instead of blurting out indigestible statements here, it would be better for Nurul Hooda to urge New Delhi to restore the sovereign status of Manipur, in case he wants a solution to the issue of Manipur's sovereignty.
Real peace and development can be realised only when the people of Manipur get right to self-determination, said the outfit.
Leaving apart development, the nominal amount provided by New Delhi could not fill even private coffers of the corrupt Chief Minister, Ministers, MLAs and the bureaucrats, the outfit asserted.
If any one was saying that insurgency was the cause of Manipur's underdevelopment, one need to ponder whether the State made any significant stride towards development during the long 30 years between 1949 and 1978 when the liberation movement was at its nascent stage.
The alleged annexation of Manipur by India after dissolving the State Assembly elected by adult franchise marked serious devolution of political power of the state.
This was ostensibly visible when Manipur was categorised as a Part-C State within Indian Union.
The people of Manipur have not forgotten the incident when students asking for rice were responded with bullets.
The Government of India was also shrewd enough to enact necessary legislation in the form of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 well ahead of time to keep the people under submission, it asserted.
Nurul Hooda should take due notice of the observation of Black Day on October 15, boycotting of the Indian Independence Day and Republic Day every year.
It would be wise for Nurul Hooda not to come to Manipur ever again.