UNLF extends 'revolutionary greetings' on its 51st anniversary (3)
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 25 2015: The UNLF was established in 1964 just about two months after Naga National Council (NNC) and Government of India signed a ceasefire agreement.

And in the then Lushai Hills, Laldenga led Mizo National Front (MNF) also was getting ready to launch a freedom movement for Mizoram, stated the proscribed UNLF in its "Annual Statement 2015" .

Apart from these movements, there was no other armed movement in the region.

Under such situation, the UNLF took the step of reawakening the patriotic feelings of the people of Manipur and started work on restoration of Manipur's independence.

For the same purpose, in 1967, a Political Review Committee was set up and started publishing materials that stated Manipur was forcibly annexed, said the statement.

Moreover, in every nook and corner of Manipur valley areas, the issue was made known to the people through transport vehicles carrying PA system.

Youth were mobilized and this led to the strengthening of UNLF's resolve.

When the UNLF's mass contact programme ended between 1967 and 1978, PLA/RPF and PREPAK began their armed movements.

This brought a new phase of armed national liberation movement and these movements could expose the interests of colonial India, claimed UNLF.

The In 1980, Government of India declared Manipur as a "Disturb Area" and enforced the black law AFSPA under which Indian Occupation Forces (IOF) began committing atrocities on the people of Manipur and today the entire world knows the situation.

This has exposed the hidden agenda of a fascist Indian state.

In order to counter the Indian Occupation Force which backed the government, UNLF established its armed wing Manipur People's Army (MPA) in 1987.To prove that it was for the people, UNLF fired the first gun to punish anti social elements and the guns were not aimed at attacking Indian army.

After 1990, the focus of the attack was aimed at India army who started oppressing the people.

After these, there had been a series of confrontation between IOF and MPA in the hills and valley, said UNLF.

UNLF also reminded that that armed liberation movement has to go along with democratic movements of the people.

From this perspective, the UNLF announced a four-point proposal in 2005 based on Manipur-India Conflict.

The points include Manipur people should decide the future according to the wishes of the people.

This meant that Manipur-India conflict cannot be decided with talks between few groups and the Government of India.

However, India which takes pride in declaring itself as the biggest democratic country in the world has not been able to give a response to the UNLF's democratic proposal and UNLF well knows that India will not give an answer.

India which actually smothers democracy under the shadow of democracy cannot test its own democratic strength.

The people's resolution to hold a plebiscite on the future of Manipur has vindicated the UNLF's position on liberation of the land and its people.

Moreover, like the rest of all liberation movements around the world, there have been ups and downs in the course of the revolutionary path and the people know these moments very well.

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