UPRFM imposes general strike on August 15
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 11 2020: The United People's Revolutionary Front of Manipur (UPRFM) has called a 16 hour general strike from midnight of August 14 to 5 pm of August 15 to boycott the 74th Independence Day celebration of India.

However essential services are exempted from the purview of the general strike.

According to a statement issued by its Info & Publicity secretary L Rolin alias Thoupangba Meitei, the Independence Day celebration of India has no significance in the history, society and people of 'Kangleipak'.

"When we talked about the history and roots of Kangleipak, we know that Kangleipak got its independence a day ahead on August 14, 1947," the outfit alleged.

"When India was not even formed, Kangleipak, with its own written Constitution, was already a sovereign Nation with a history of more than 2000 years".

UPRFM further said Manipur has been a part of South East Asia by exchanging treaties with other neighbouring sovereign Nations.

In 1947, after Manipur got its independence from the British rule, 'The Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947' was adopted.

The first election based on adult franchise was held from June to July in 1948 and with the elected representatives, the first Assembly session was held in October 1948 at the present Johnstone Higher Secondary School campus, it said.

"India forcefully merged the sovereign Nation into its fold without the approval of the National Assembly (Manipur) by forcing the then King to sign the merger agreement in October 15, 1949," it further alleged.

"Whereas India got its independence from the British rule only on August 15, 1947, and their Constitution was adopted only on January 26, 1951 .

"It does not make any sense to take part in their Independence Day celebration when our independence is being crushed," it alleged.

Furthermore, expressing their views on the present crisis in Manipur due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UPRFM said the surge in the COVID-19 infection and the subsequent deaths being reported due to the infection, in Manipur is all because of following the unorganised policy programmes of India.

The other South East Asian countries who share similar looks and roots are facing the pandemic more efficiently, it said.

Following the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) from time to time would be the best thing to do, it said.

UPRFM said the Khongjom Day celebration, to honour the patriots who died to defend their motherland from the British rule in the battle of 1891, was not organised properly in the name of preventive measures against COVID-19 .

But on the other hand, at a time even deaths have been reported, they (State Government) are trying to gather people to organise Independence Day.

"This shows that they don't care even if we suffer or die," it said.

In order to bring a solution to a group's demand before August 15, India is trying to destroy the integrity of 'Kangleipak', it added.

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