UNLF greets South Sudan
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 10 2011:
The proscribed UNLF has conveyed warm greetings to the Republic of South Sudan which became the newest sovereign country in the world on July 9, 2011 .
The outfit further conveyed its wish that peace, security and prosperity may prevail in South Sudan which has been recognised by the United Nations as the 193rd sovereign nation on Earth.
In the course of South Sudan's freedom struggle which started around 1955, there was a civil war lasting for 22 years during which 2.5 million people were killed and another 4 million people were left homeless.
Following intervention of the UNSC in 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Treaty was signed at Nairobi.
In accordance to the treaty, a referendum was held in January during which 99 per cent of the people of South Sudan voted for a sovereign republic of South Sudan, said a press release issued by the outfit's senior publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba.
Stating that the people of South Sudan have been liberated, the outfit asserted this was a gift of the millions of South Sudanese people who laid down their lives in the course of the freedom struggle.
Whereas the Government of India has been side-stepping the people's call for plebiscite to resolve the Indo-Manipur conflict, New Delhi sent congratulatory notes when South Sudan became an independent country through referendum.
Moreover, New Delhi has set its eyes on petroleum products of South Sudan.
"To free ourselves from the alien rule and live a life of peace and dignity, our people need to join the liberation movement enmasse or launch strong mass movements in order to get UN attention and conduct plebiscite even as the Government of India has been stubbornly shying away from the democratic exercise".
"Both these two routes demand blood and extreme sacrifice", the outfit asserted.
Here it is pertinent to recall martyr Chittaranjan's last words, "Freedom would not be achieved without shedding blood", the outfit stated.
"Let the story of South Sudan's victorious liberation struggle provide a new impetus to the people of Manipur for a more intense and massive liberation struggle", it added.