Athoubasingi Ningsing Numit on November 12
PREPAK urges all to observe day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 10 2023:
Informing that November 12 (Sunday) is the "Athoubasinggi Ningsing Numit" which is observed every year in remembrance of its cadres Dhiren, Kabikanta and PLA's Gambhir who were killed by a combined team of CRPF and Manipur Police on November 12, 1978, its leader RK Tulachandra alias Loyataba who was killed by security personnel posted at Kabowakching Sugar Factory on November 12, 1985 and all other martyrs, the proscribed PREPAK has appealed to all the people to abstain from any kind of celebration or festivities on November 12, 2023 but offer lamps at the memorial tombs/sites of the martyrs in the evening.
A statement issued by PREPAK charge-de-affairs, publicity and propaganda LeibaakNgakpa Luwang noted that a large number of people residing in fringe and peripheral areas are still facing a very restive situation as they are being attacked continuously.
Even farmers are attacked continuously with a sinister attempt to keep them away from their paddy fields.
During the initial stage of the violence, intensive propaganda was carried out to portray the conflict as a result of oppression of minority tribal Christians by majority Meetei Hindus and that it was a result of the Meeteis' demand for ST status.
During the initial days of the violence, the predominant narratives ran like this; Kukis were ethnically cleansed from Imphal, Meeteis were the investors of poppy plantations, drug lords were Meeteis from the valley, Kukis were only defending their ancestral land from attacks by Meiteis, Kukis cannot live together with Meeteis and there should be a separate administration exclusively for the Kukis.
But the Kukis suffered a serious setback as all these narratives were rejected by the Government of India.
As a result, the Kuki aggression subsided to some extent, the outfit remarked.
The Government of India has stated that there were foreign hands in the Manipur crisis and the Ministry of Home Affairs has entrusted the NIA to investigate if Kuki militants are directly involved in the violence.
Even though it appears that the Government of India has understood the facts and truths of the whole crisis, some military units of the Government of India have been supporting the Kukis and these military often join the fight on the side of the Kukis, it alleged.
The presence of Indian military forces in the midst of the Kukis often put the Meetei in a highly disadvantageous position, it said.
On the other hand, disunity among the Meetei people has given rise to many power blocks.
As a result, local issues often dominate core political issues.
This is a very serious matter which needs introspection by all the people, the outfit said.
It is hard to believe that the Government would take up any substantial measures to rebuild the economy of those displaced people who are currently taking refuge in relief camps although the Government may provide some compensation.
It is highly necessary to demand a special economic package in order to revive the State's economy, the outfit asserted.
It is also imperative to enact a security policy under which farmers can defend their own villages, it said.
The outfit then paid homage to all the martyrs which had laid down their lives in the course of the liberation movement.
The supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs may inspire the future generations with greater conviction to struggle for a sovereign, peaceful, progressive and egalitarian Manipur.
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