Future destiny lies in collective development: UNLF-II
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 24 2015: The armed campaign launched by UNLF to free Manipur and her people from the colonial yoke is primarily a democratic revolution.

The first priority of the revolution is abolition of the alleged colonial rule and restoration of Manipur's sovereignty.

To free all the indigenous people of Manipur from political subjugation and economic exploitation perpetrated under the colonial rule and feudal system is another primary objective of the revolution.

Given the distinct context of Manipur and the revolutionary movement's primary objective of establishing a republic, the UNLF's campaign can be termed 'National People's Democratic Revolution' .

Along with the establishment of a republic and after proper consolidation of the nation, the movement would lay a strong foundation for an egalitarian society, continued the Central Committee.

Democracy and socialism are two inseparable elements and they are inevitable in making a vibrant society.

Democracy is a model of a political system and socialism is the nature of a society which would be built upon the edifice of a democratic system.

Here it is crucial to mobilize all the indigenous communities of Manipur who share common ancestry but have taken divergent paths, and bring them back on a common path towards freedom.

For this, the UNLF has a vision of a free country where all the communities can safeguard their distinct identities, respect one another, enjoy autonomy at all levels, are inter-dependent and can progress collectively, the central committee elaborated.

Such a system of inter-dependence and collective development is the only way which can save all the indigenous people of Manipur from all kinds of ills such as economic underdevelopment, human rights violation, internal conflicts etc.

To save the people from the repressive regime of India is a primary task of the 'National People's Democratic Revolution', it asserted.

The cease fire signed between Naga National Council (NNC) and GoI was just two months old when the UNLF was set up in 1964.The Mizo National Front (MNF) led by Laldenga was also making hectic preparations to wage an armed revolution in the then Lushai Hills to form an independent Mizoram.

Except for NNC, UNLF and MNF, there was no disposition towards waging armed revolutionary movement at any other place of WESEA.

To arouse a strong sense of nationalism among the people of Manipur and sensitize the masses on the issue of sovereignty was the first task of the UNLF.

For this, a Political Review Committee was set up in 1967.The committee soon launched a publicity campaign on the alleged annexation of Manipur by India.

As a particular phase of the UNLF's unarmed campaign of spreading messages to the masses for a liberation movement was coming to an end, PLA/RPF and PREPAK launched armed campaigns.

This opened a new chapter in the history of the liberation movement.

Not long after, GoI started exposing its repressive nature.

After the declaration of Manipur as a disturbed area in 1980, GoI unleashed all kinds of repressive measures through its military forces against the people of Manipur under draconian law AFSPA.

As demanded by the changing situation, UNLF raised Manipur People's Army in 1987 in order to fight the Indian military forces who have been oppressing the masses, and restore sovereignty of Manipur.

But UNLF fired its first bullets to anti-social elements particularly rapists, not against the Indian military forces.

This is a testimony of the fact that all the arms and weapons wielded by the UNLF is for the masses.

By the late 1990's, UNLF started military engagement with the Indian military forces who have been oppressing the masses indiscriminately.

Since then, MPA have fought numerous battles against the Indian military forces at different places of Manipur, the central committee recounted.

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