Koireng-led UNLF extends honours to founding leaders
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 17 2025: Ahead of its 8th Athoubasinggi Ningsing Numit observance on May 18, the Central Committee of the proscribed Koireng-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF) extended revolutionary honours to all its deceased founding leaders, supporters, and the people.

The organisation also paid its highest respect to UNLF/MPA fighters, deceased leaders and functionaries, and all those who sacrificed their lives during the course of the liberation movement for the restoration of the lost sovereignty of Manipur.

The more worrisome and disheartening aspect on this auspicious day has been the killings, displacement of thousands of people, and torching of villages in the ongoing conflict between the Meeteis and Kukis since May 3, 2023 - allegedly designed by Government of India as part of its suppressive policies to fragment and destabilise Manipur, UNLF said in a statement.

Due to the conflict, thousands of indigenous peoples of the land became 'refugees' in their own land, unable to return to their homes and languishing in relief camps.

Unpredictable life in the relief camps compelled some of the 'refugees' to commit suicide, while the majority of them are living in pitiable and awful conditions.

All these are the results of the 'divide and destroy' policy of the "colonial administration to suppress the sovereignty movement in Manipur".

The organisation is unable to observe the 8th Athoubasinggi Ningsing Numit together with the people due to the prevailing situation.

The observance, however, will be held as usual at the party's CHQ, district committees, branch committees, External Affairs HQ, LAKSA (External Affairs), and also at the general headquarters of MPA, battalions, and some sub-units, said a message of the Central Committee of the UNLF issued on the occasion.

According to the Central Committee message issued by its publicity secretary M Shak-Hen, GoI's prolonged suppression and oppression have compelled the indigenous peoples of Manipur to face a situation where they could not even protect their identities.

This must be clearly understood by every armed Kuki and Meetei fighting under the instigation of the Indian government.

What they should collectively realise is that Manipur is their motherland where they have grown up together, developed the motherland as a nation, fought external enemies from time to time, and developed national identity together.

To destroy this national identity developed together over hundreds of years, the Government of India adopted various policies and created conflict among communities with no gain for the indigenous people of the land.

What India wants is the land of the indigenous people of Manipur, and to convert it into a settlement area for mainland Indians (Mayangs).

As such, Kuki intellectuals and leaders, along with visionary Meetei, should sincerely put efforts to stop the conflict and make the public on both sides aware that there is no other option than coexistence and bringing collective development for their survival.

If unable to bring this mutual understanding, all the indigenous communities of Manipur will fall into GoI's trap, and be marooned, UNLF said in the message.

Continuing the message, the Central Committee of UNLF said WESEA and its adjacent regions have become a 'friction point' of geopolitics of two global powers, and this is now widely known.

India's policy to set foot in this 'friction point' has created a situation of its own disintegration, and this needs to be looked into carefully.

In fact, the desperate situation India faces right now is the emergence of conditions necessary for the success of the liberation movement placed before the people of Manipur by UNLF sometime back.

As such, the ongoing liberation movement enters a very difficult and critical phase.

However, thousands of patriotic youth have come out in this new.

phase to follow the path chosen by brave revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives for the motherland, and this is quite encouraging and joyful, the message of UNLF's Central Committee said, while calling upon the people to work for the liberation movement in the true spirit of MPA's 'sacrifice with courage' slogan.

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