PREPAK greets on International Day of Indigenous People
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 08, 2014: The proscribed PREPAK has greeted all the indigenous people of Kangleipak (Manipur) and the world on the occasion of the International Day of World's Indigenous People (August 9). Indigenous people across the world are being subjected to invasion, forced annexation, coercive alteration of their history and denial of rights by bigger communities, said a press release issued by the outfit's publicity and propaganda assistant secretary Leibakngakpa Luwang.

Ahead of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995-2004) as declared by the UN General Assembly, August 9 was declared the International Day of the World's Indigenous People on December 23, 1994. Observance of August 9 as International Day of World's Indigenous People give an opportunity to all the indigenous peoples to struggle for their rights as enshrined in the UN charter and strive together to resolve the common issues of all indigenous people.

Like other indigenous people of the world, indigenous people of Kangleipak have been enduring different challenges and difficulties.

The alleged alien rule has been creating divisions among the indigenous communities of Manipur and has bred a situation of animosity.

By encouraging different ethnic groups to demand their separate homelands, the Government of India has struck a serious blow to the indigenous people's unity.

At the same time, the alien regime has been following a policy of cultural assimilation and identity obliteration.

This policy has devastating impacts on the indigenous languages, religious practices and culture.

All these covert and overt policies bred a misplaced concept of the external philosophy being superior to the indigenous one.

Indigenous people of Kangleipak have been reduced to the status of slaves and their misery is simply endless.

Coupled with the ceaseless influx of outsiders, indigenous people of Kangleipak would be completely overwhelmed by outsiders within 4/5 years of establishing railway connectivity with India.

Like other people, indigenous people of Kangleipak are entitled to all the fundamental freedom and rights as enshrined in the UN Charter.

All indigenous peoples are entitled to the right to self determination which means they have the right to decide their political, cultural and economic status, the outfit asserted.

People of Kangleipak need to understand the degenerated situation of their culture, social practices, economy, traditions and political status for collective re-construction of these lost or vanishing values.

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