UNLF spells out agenda on 44th B'day-I
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 02 2008: The Central Committee of the proscribed UNLF has, besides greeting the people on the 44th anniversary of the outfit, which fell on November 24, has come out with a review of last year's Annual Statement, while presenting this year's Annual Statement 1.Last Year's Review: In our 'Annual Statement 2007' last year, we asserted that the most important issue that has confronted the erstwhile independent State of Manipur ever since the 'annexation by India' in 1949 is the Manipur-India Conflict arising therefrom.

MPA cadres at a base camp

We also asserted that the conflict should be satisfactorily resolved according to the expressed wishes of our people and that for the purpose a Plebiscite should be conducted under UN aegis.

This was announced on 31st January 2005 by our Chairman.

On the other hand, we delved upon the growing alienation of the people from the Revolutionary Organisations fighting for Manipur's independence.

We also renewed our appeal to all the fraternal revolutionary organisations for unity in the larger interest of the liberation struggle.

On the question of identification of the liberation struggle with the struggle for existence of the masses of the people, which is a precondition for our victory, the UNLF propounded the line that an Essential Self Reliant Economy should be developed even during the process of the liberation struggle.

The UNLF also announced a National Economic Policy (NEP) under which Agriculture, the basis for our economic development, is to be transformed into an industry while Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) will be developed as the leading factor of our economy.

The NEP also calls for empowering our womenfolk in the daily struggle for existence so as to build an economic movement at grassroots level.

Along with these fundamental issues the UNLF also reiterated its political line for fraternal coexistence and co development among all the ethnic communities of Manipur and the region at large respecting one another's distinct identities. 2.Essential Self Reliance: Sensible and patriotic citizens have responded positively to the above message.

The UNLF Central Committee heartily congratulates them for their committed participation in various economic projects.

Today, our patriotic farmers committed to the cause of "Self Reliance on Food" have taken up various projects (agriculture, horticulture, sericulture, fishery, etc.) to produce sufficient food so as to free Manipur from dependence on imports from India , a number of far-sighted entrepreneurs have taken up Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) suitable to Manipur's resources and environment.

Special mention may be made about the big effort of the UNLF to empower our womenfolk in their daily struggle for existence so as to improve the quality of their life.

All these are the initial steps to integrate and identify our liberation struggle with the struggle for existence of the masses of our people.

MPA cadres at a base camp

The UNLF Central Committee call upon all sections of the society to contribute their worth for the success of this economic movement.

With relentless effort, 70% of the goal for making Manipur Self Reliant on food can be attained in 5 years time.

If so, we can modestly claim that the foundation for an essential self reliant economy of Manipur had been laid.

This in turn will remove the injected wrong notion that "we cannot survive without dependence on India " from the psyche of our people.

However, the hurdles and tentacles of India 's colonial rule and their easy money will certainly make the task difficult.

This we must overcome.

It is imperative here to warn against the utilisation of our limited agricultural land for other purposes, such as institutions, 'development infrastructures', etc.

Any such projects should henceforth be stopped.

Such projects should be located at non agricultural land.

Agricultural land being the lifeline of our people, the UNLF would do everything and anything to protect this lifeline.

Depts connected with food production should make necessary arrangements to distribute seeds to the farmers well in time for the season.

Horticulture and animal husbandry should be taken up in the hill areas where large scale agricultural farming is not suitable.

Necessary facilities for marketing their products in Imphal and outside Manipur should also be provided so as to improve the economy of the hill areas.