Sanayaima sticks to demand for plebiscite
Source: The Sangai Express

Guwahati, January 11 2011: "There is no change to the UNLF's demand for plebiscite though we have little faith that New Delhi would accede to the demand.

Nevertheless, people should struggle together to secure our inalienable right" .

This was stated by arrested UNLF Chairman RK Sanayaima after coming out from a court complex here today.

He categorically stated that UNLF alone cannot go for plebiscite.

All the revolutionary groups need to be united on the issue and work together with the people to ensure that the demand for plebiscite is fulfilled.

To a query about his concealment for almost two months, the UNLF Chairman clarified that he was not arrested by any combined team of Indian intelligence agency and their Bangladeshi counterparts.

He was taken to West Bengal border by a Bangladesh intelligence team and then handed to West Bengal who in turn handed him over to NIA.

This was disclosed by Sanayaima himself.

"The NIA might have many calculations during my 61 days of solitary confinement but I've been produced before court because of the people's voice", Sanayaima acknowledged.

(Top) RK Sanayaima shaking hands with women activists after being produced to court and (bottom) womenfolk lending support to the UNLF's chief demand for plebiscite

He rubbished the NIA's claim that he was arrested from Motihari town of Bihar.

It took 36 hours for the West Bengal team to hand over Sanayaima to the NIA though it was said that it an arrested person should be produced before a court within 24 hours.

"Though I'm in their custody for the last many days, they never exert pressure on me to give up the demand for plebiscite and find solution through something else", Sanayaima conveyed.

Disclosing that he was under some pressure on certain points during his confinement at Delhi, the UNLF Chairman pointed that the current issue had its roots in the forced annexation of Manipur by India in 1949 .

The question is about undoing the injustice done by India.

Given these facts, people's aspirations cannot be subdued simply by arresting a leader of an armed group like the UNLF, Sanayaima asserted.

To another query, Sanayaima said that Indian courts function on its own judiciary system and Manipur is another country.

The question of whether one would get justice from Indian judiciary system or not would be known after the trial, he asserted.

Addressing the people of Manipur, the rebel leader said, "people's love for me is for the right to self determination and I would go with the strength and courage of the people" .

Supporters and concerned citizens showing solidarity to UNLF Chairman RK Sanayaima alias Meghen in front of a court complex at Guwahati on Tuesday

"Under any circumstances, I would not compromise with New Delhi against the aspirations of the people", he stated.

When the people of Manipur press for plebiscite collectively with a firm conviction, other countries would exert pressure on Indian to conduct plebiscite, he confided.

On learning that UNLF Chairman Sanayaima would be produced before a special court of the NIA at Pan Bazar here today, around 200 Meira Paibi activists from Shillong, Assam and Imphal lined up before the Court complex.

At around 2 pm, Sanayaima was brought to the court complex amidst tight security.

Just as he was brought out, the Meira Paibis put up placards and raised slogans such as "We want plebiscite", "Resolve Indo-Manipur conflict through political means", "Transfer all case involving armed cadres including that of RK Sanayaima to Manipur" etc.

RK Sanayaima was also allowed to meet the Meira Paibi leaders one by one inside the Court room.

According to Sanayaima's counsel Ashim Talukdar, the rebel leader would produced before the same court on January 24. Incidentally, it was the third time that Sanayaima was produced before the NIA's special court.

Together with Sanayaima, UNLF's Nongyai alias Joy and S Rakesh, M Landhoni and Tridip Nath who are alleged to be members of the outfit and arrested from Guwahati were produced before the same court today.