RPF says no to political dialogue-I
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 24 2020: The proscribed Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) has categorically rejected all initiatives of the Government of India to hold political dialogue to bring an end to insurgency in Manipur.

A statement issued by RPF president Irengbam Chaoren on the outfit's 41st foundation day (February 25), also observed as Independence Demand Day, asserted that it will be impossible to come to any form of agreement on liberation of Manipur through dialogue between the Government of India and the revolutionary groups of Manipur under the current situation.

There will be no conducive atmosphere for political dialogue on independence until and unless there are inescapable conditions which compel India to liberate all the Nations which it allegedly annexed at the time of its formation.

India's initiative for dialogue is basically about merging the revolutionaries into the Indian mainstream, make them real Indians; disarm the revolutionary groups and bring a solution within the constitution of India.

"This approach of the Government of India has been testified repeatedly by the accords signed earlier and the ongoing political dialogues.

Given this unmistakable testimony, we reject all invitation for such political dialogues of which we have made it clear to both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur that we will never compromise on the question of Manipur's freedom", Chaoren asserted.

Yet, RPF welcomes all efforts of the people particularly CSOs to address the separatist tendency of several communities living together in Manipur and consolidate the idea of a united Manipur.

Forging unity among the communities is a crucial task of paramount importance, reads the statement.

Saying that the RPF's armed movement to liberate Manipur is a response to the call of the over 2000 years old national history of independence and freedom, it pointed out that Manipuri forefathers fought against neighbouring Myanmar for over 500 years to protect the independence of Manipur.

Again it was the millennia old national history of freedom and independence which brought Manipuri forefathers to battle fronts against the mighty British, even though they very well knew that they stood no chance.

But after the alleged annexation of Manipur by India, the quest for independence has been growing weaker and weaker, and it seems people have forgotten how Manipur existed asaproud, independent Nation.

As a result, Manipuri society has been brought to such a situation that it is seemingly inseparable from India and it cannot survive without depending upon India for everything.

To RPF, one major obstacle to correct this notion and take the Nation on the right path is the Government of India's alien rule.

RPF's armed movement which is now over 40 years old is fundamentally against the Government of India's alien rule and it is not a manifestation of grievances against administrative or economic policies formulated by the Government of India for the people of Manipur.

The armed movement is a movement to liberate Manipur and establish self-rule, asserted the rebel leader.

Admitting that the movement is unable to achieve much progress as the enemy, with their superior resources and power, has been posing all kinds of hurdles, Chaoren lamented that revolutionary groups and people are still unable to walk hand in hand and take the freedom struggle to international platforms.

"We believe we have two big reasons for the ultimate victory of the liberation movement of Manipur; the first one being Manipur's written history of being an independent Nation which is over 2000 years old, and the second one is the alleged forced annexation of Manipur by India", reads the statement.

It has been accepted by one and all that it was these two reasons which gave birth to the revolutionary movement.

Moreover, the authenticity or truthfulness of these reasons has been accepted in every political discourse about or related to Manipur, it claimed.

However, as a consequence of living under the control of India for many years, Manipur has been entangled in such a situation which it finds difficult to disentangle itself.

When the number of people who think disentangling Manipur from the current situation is impossible is growing more and more, waging a liberation movement or mobilising people for such a movement is a difficult task.

The revolutionary movement of Manipur will take a very disappointing course if the revolutionaries cannot work with firm determination and a strong sacrificial spirit under the present circumstances.

The situation demands all revolutionaries of Manipur to be extremely careful.

"As we cannot rely on our own strength alone in our fight against India, it is our indispensable strategy to forge alliance with neighbouring revolutionary groups.

It is also a part of our strategy to make ourselves capable of seeking timely assistance from countries which are hostile to India or which intend to weaken India", it continued.

There is a strong possibility of disintegration of India from inside with different communities/States/regions giving more emphasis to their own interests at the cost of united India.

India is a warmongering country which has been provoking neighbouring countries to wars without thinking of the consequences, it alleged.

The recent statement of newly appointed Indian army chief General MM Naravane that the Indian army will conquer Pakistan Administered Kashmir if the Parliament gives permission and insertion of Nepal's Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani within the territory of India in maps published by India unmistakably testify that India is a country which is keen to revive the idea of imperialism.

As a result, India's diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries have been growing from bad to worse.

This will certainly put India in the map of countries where there are military conflicts in its border areas.

Such conflicts can put the revolutionary movement in an advantageous position.

"To join these conflicts and make ourselves a party to these conflicts, we need to take our armed campaign to a higher level", Chaoren stated.

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