KSDC slammed, Kuki State demand debunked ; UPF makes its stand clear
Source: The Sangai Express
Lamka, January 25 2013:
Against the backdrop of the KSDC stir, the United Peoples' Front � one of the conglomerate signatories of the SoO today made its stand clear and declared that it never recognized the KSDC, neither accept its ideology nor the violent forms of protest it pursued in recent times.
"Any demand which directly threatens the territorial integrity of Manipur and makes open challenges to the establishment is outside the purview of the SoO agreement and therefore the UPF cannot be party to the policy and approaches adopted by the KSDC, Manipur,' said the UPF in a statement issued by its information and publicity wing.
Claiming that it envisions a non-communal approach to the socio-political problems of Manipur, and seek durable solution within the parameters of the SoO pact, the UPF alleged that in the absence of any tangible communal boundary, balkanization of Manipur on communal lines is bound to create more problems in future.
Neither the Maharaja of Manipur nor the GoI is responsible for making the present boundary of Manipur nor was the indigenous people's consent taken by the colonial administrator while making the present Manipur boundary.
"We have inherited colonial blunder and are forced to adjust ourselves with whatever ills they have left.
Yet one should accept the fact that change is universal and changing for the betterment of our future is a must.
"And the process of change need not necessarily be violent", said the UPF adding, it would be unfortunate if some people who do not understand the language of peaceful negoatiated-settlement are permitted to sabotage the peace process.
The UPF also rebuffed the news item in this paper under the caption, "Demands of UPF, KNO against SoO tenets", declaring that the UPF demand is well within the agreed parameters of the SoO as Autonomous Hill State under Article 244A of the Indian Constitution was well within the parameters of the Constitution and neither impinges on the territorial integrity of Manipur.
It is a pragmatic demand for equal development of both the hills and valleys without necessarily balkanizing the state of Manipur, explained UPF with an assertion that once the demand is fulfilled, Manipur state would not only double its growth but fasten the pace of development hundred times or more and become a developed state within a decade' .
In a multi-ethnic state like Manipur, the UPF envisions inclusive solution to the problems confronting the state.
Any exclusive demands or communal approaches to the issues are found unhealthy, dangerous and unrealistic under present circumstances, it added.