RPF bans I-Day celebration, as in previous years
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 09 2010: Asserting that the people of Manipur have no reason to join the Independence Day celebration of India, the proscribed Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) has prohibited celebration of Independence Day in any form.

A statement issued by the outfit's Publicity Secretary T Leisemba said that Manipur gained independence from the British one day ahead of India on August 14, 1947 .

Stating that king Budhachandra was forced to sign the Merger Agreement after keeping the Red Lands under siege by Indian Army at Shillong, Leisemba said that the Government of India had already put in place a secret plan to annex Manipur with military force in case the king of Manipur refused to sign the Merger Agreement despite all kinds of threats and coercion.

This all too familiar sight will return on August 15 this year too

Sadar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Mountbatten were the kingpins of this plan.

Against all principles of the United Nations, the Government of India stationed a large of number of its military in the then independent Manipur.

Since the day Manipur was 'forcibly merged' into India, there have been both armed and unarmed movements against the alien rule.

Significantly, Assembly (Parliament) of the then independent Manipur adopted several resolutions against the Government of India's plan to annex Manipur as well as the Merger Agreement itself.

The National Convention of Manipur on the Merger Agreement held on October 28 and 29, 1993 at GM Hall attended by many reputed scholars and public in its resolution had denounced the so called agreement as coercive, unconstitutional and illegal.

The RPF has also submitted a number of memorandum to the United Nations Headquarters and its Decolonisation Committee in this regard.

The issue has been highlighted by the Front and as a result of it, many countries have extended help to the cause of Manipur's freedom, the outfit claimed.

Saying that India cannot observe its 63rd Independence Day celebration while denying the same to the Manipuris, the RPF appealed the people not only to boycott enmasse but also condemn the event.

Since the day Manipur became a part of India not only de-population had taken place but also there is a looming threat of obliteration of Manipuri nationality from the earth, the outfit alleged.

On the other hand, despite India becoming independent from the British imperialists, there are many Indians who are yet to enjoy the fruits of political freedom and are engaged in waging wars freedom and are engaged in waging wars against India for the same.

Claiming that it has been supporting and cooperating with those Indians fighting against the present regime which is capitalist in character, the RPF said that it is always prepared to join hands with them for the same.

"Let us join hands, extend support and cooperation in defeating the Indian regime, the colonial master who are denying the basic rights of the Manipuri people and through our collective endeavour let us bring forth sovereignty of the nation", the outfit called out.

This would be the only path for Manipur to exist as a developed country in the comity of nations.

Manipur may recognize India's Independence Day celebration as a member country of United Nations after the establishment of sovereignty for Manipur, it asserted.

Citing these rational arguments, the RPF as usual, declared a complete ban on any activities related to Independence Day celebration from 1 am to 6.30 pm of August 15 except for fire and medical services and religious ceremonies.