RPF blames India for inter-community conflicts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 18 2017: Indigenous communities of Manipur seem to be blaming each other for the sorry state of affairs prevailing in the State rather than pondering over its root causes, the proscribed RPF remarked.

A statement issued by the outfit's publicity secretary Roben Khuman pointed that the indigenous communities of Manipur including those grouped under British-invented names like Naga and Kuki were collectively defending the sovereignty of Manipur together with its kings.

The common homeland was called Manipur by foreigners and different communities were given differ- ent names, and the indigenous people accepted them as their true names and identities.

After embracing the names and identities given by foreigners, the indigenous people started think- ing each other as aliens forgetting the common history and the cordial rela- tionship shared among them since ages.

All the indigenous peoples lived together, stru- ggled together and prospered together, it asserted.

The administration of Manipur was done by 64 departments/royal offices in the past.

They are equivalent to the present Council of Ministers and all Khullakpas of hill villages were functionaries of these offices.

Soon after the end of British colonial rule, scholars/leaders of both Naga and Kuki tribes took active roles in drafting the Manipur Constitution Act 1947 .

An elected Government was set up in Manipur with representatives elected from both the hills and plain through adult franchise in 1948 even before India sets up its own Government.

However, after Manipur was allegedly annexed into the Indian Union, it was reduced to the status of a Part C State.

This was followed by population invasion, exploitation of natural resources and Manipur was converted into a captive market.

A large section of the people of Manipur led by Lamyanba Irabot revolted against the forced occupation and started waging a war of liberation since late 1949 .

Even though the struggle for liberation ceased for sometime following the demise of Lamyanba Irabot, it again resurged and it has been going on continuously since then.

All liberation struggles fought and carried on in the right direction by oppressed people against oppressors never ended in defeat.

The oppressors know this fact and they have been scheming continuously to fragment the oppressed people into multiple groups.

One effective strategy employed by oppressors to divide oppressed people is inciting identity politics based on ethnicity.

The 1972's struggle for Statehood was a collective struggle of the hill people and plain people.

Soon after Manipur achieved Statehood, a number of RAW agents came to the State with huge amounts of money and sowed seeds of distrust and animosity among indigenous communities of the land.

As a result, a large section of the indigenous people started overlooking that they are being oppressed by external forces.

Rather than working for a united Manipur, indigenous communities set up their own armed groups which only sharpened ethnic divisions and inter-community conflicts.

All the indigenous people need to introspect the prevailing situation of Manipur.

The situation demands communication, mobilisation and reconciliation.

One should not do anything that may create more enemies.

Rather one should concentrate on mobilising the people and strengthening the liberation movement.

No doubt, hill areas are more backward compared to the valley in terms of transport infrastructure, health care facilities, education etc.

All offices of the Government of Manipur were headed by Indian bureaucratic officers for a long time.

There is a need for all the people to work collectively so as to bring uniform development across Manipur. There is no need to lose heart and confidence rather all the people ought to join hands and strengthen the liberation movement, the outfit added.

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