UPF calls for unity, co-existence
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 27 2025: Ahead of its 27th foundation day which falls on August 28, the United Peoples' Front (UPF), Manipur has issued a message calling for unity and coexistence among the different communities in Manipur.

A press release issued by Nongthombam Rupachandra.

president, UPF recalled Manipur's status as a democratic Nation in 1948 prior to its merger with the Indian Union on October 15, 1949.Since then, the Indian Government has proceeded to sow seeds of discord to divide the communities in Manipur, accused UPF.

Though Manipur was granted statehood in 1972, many constitutional and parliamentary measures such as Article 371C and Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act (MLR & LR) Act 1960 (passed before statehood) continued to drive wedges to prevent a "united Manipur" from taking shape, as per the UPF press release.

Such constitutional provisions paired with the tactics of the "communal" Indian Government posed significant challenges to the coexistence of different communities in Manipur.

Saying that similar challenges continue to persist in current times, UPF added that the people of Manipur have relentlessly fought against forces seeking to compromise the territorial integrity, of the State.

The Front, which was formed on August 28, 1998, also strives to uphold peaceful coexistence and preserve the territorial integrity of Manipur.

On the other hand, the ongoing conflict which has lasted more than 2 years poses a direct challenge to these ideas of coexistence and unity.

While Meiteis cannot move freely along the National Highways, the enforcement of "Buffer Zones" by Indian Security Forces has successfully confined the Meitei community within Imphal and other valley areas.

In turn, such situations have prevented communities within the Kuki-Zo umbrella from travelling to Imphal, said the UPF statement.

Instead of resolving the conflict between the two communities, the Indian Government has allowed the confinement of the Meitei community and their unofficial prohibition from National Highways to continue, claimed UPF.

Though Central leaders have assured to uphold the territorial integrity of Manipur, it does not guarantee the preservation of unity and coexistence among various communities within the State.

Under such circumstances, UPF has urged different communities who have lived in harmony on the soil of Manipur for ages to let go of any narrow communal perspectives and continue to coexist for a united Manipur.

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