Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 11:
In connection with its 27th Martyrs' Day, the Central Committee of the proscribed PREPAK today said that flag of the outfit will be flown at half mast to pay respect to the departed leaders, the cadres who have laid down their lives for the cause they have taken up as well as to pay respect to all those who have sacrificed their lives for the movement.
A two minute silence will also observed to pay respect to the departed souls.
In a statement, the Central Committee of the outfit said that the day will be observed at the Military Head Quarters, (Military Affairs of Red Army), Tactical Hqs, training centre, district committee and local committee.
The outfit urged the people to pay floral tributes, light lamps etc.
Recalling November 12, 1978, the statement said that for the first time in the revolutionary movement of the outfit, a fierce gun fight ensued between the Red Army and Indian security force at Kameng Leimarok.
Three cadres sacrificed their lives in the battle of Kameng.
Since then, November 12 has been observed as �Dark Day� and �Martyrs Day�.
This day is today observed to pay respect to over 100 cadres of PREPAK who have sacrificed their lives.
Ever since PREPAK was set up on October 9, 1977 it has been waging a battle against the Indian security force and in the process the Indian security force has unleashed a reign of terror on the innocent public in the name of CI ops, charged the statement.
To cover up its excesses, the Indian Army has been conducting free medical camps, distributing goods and material to the people.
However this populism programme will not cut ice with the public, said the outfit and added that the Indian Government is trying to portray the movement in the wrong light by citing unemployment as the reason for youths taking to arms.
Nothing can be further from the truth, said PREPAK and made it clear that the armed movement has been launched to win back the lost freedom of the land and not because to demand Government jobs.
What developmental programme has India taken up, asked PREPAK and cited the conditions of the poor and needy in other parts of India.
Today there are many Indians suffering from lack of medical facilities, lack of food, said PREPAK and countered what welfare policies the Indian Government has taken up for these people.
Today the gap between the rich and the poor has widened in India and there have been several communal and religious riots in other parts of India, pointed out the statement.
The Indian Government should be looking after the needs of its subjects particularly in the Hindi heartland, advised PREPAK.
The Indian Army can never defeat the revolutionary movement, said the outfit.
Even after 60 years of independence, India continues to propagate untouchability, casteism, and trying to pass on the blame to the Britishers.
The rot in the Indian system is inherent, said the outfit and added that the Indian leaders have no stature in the eyes of PREPAK.
Manipur on the other hand was a land without any wants before the British annexed the land, said PREPAK.
It was only after the annexation by Britain and India that socio-economy conflict reared its head in Manipur.
India is a country which promotes and propagates imperialism and added that it has a secret political agenda to keep its neighbours under its thumbs.
Not only this, India is presently keeping the people of North East under subjugation.
India can never militarily defeat the movement in Manipur, said PREPAK and added that even a super power like USA had to taste defeat at Vietnam.