Meghen returns home to rousing welcome
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 28 2019: Former Chairman of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) RK Meghen alias Sanayaima has vowed that he would always stand firm for the cause of Manipuri people.

A warm reception function was held today in honour of Meghen at his own Yaiskul Janmasthan residence.

Speaking at the gathering, Meghen pledged that he would never let down the love and trust reposed in him by the people of Manipur.

"I would hold on to this position for the rest of my life and work accordingly", Meghen pledged.

Soon after Meghen was released from Guwahati Central Jail on November 9, a team of Indian intelligence unit whisked away Meghen together with his son and lawyer and they were detained at an undisclosed location of Delhi for 17 days.

Meghen returns home to rousing welcome

Freed from the detention, he reached Imphal this afternoon.

He was received by a large number of people at Imphal airport.

Sanayaima alias Meghen, now 73 years old, said that he felt something very special which words could not describe on seeing so many compatriots coming to the airport to receive him.

The former UNLF chairman said that he felt like all his sufferings he experienced during the past 44 years including the confinement in prison for nine years had vanished and conveyed gratitude to all the compatriots for giving courage and wisdom.

He said that after his arrest on September 29, 2010, he was detained at an undisclosed location for around 60 daysand acknowledged the role played by different sections of people including Meira Paibis, students and media to disclose his whereabouts.

Meghen said that he came to know about the civil movements which demanded disclosure of his whereabouts only when he was lodged in Guwahati Central Jail from fellow rebels who were also lodged in the same jail.

"I was brought back by the voice of my compatriots otherwise I could have been made to disappear permanently.

For this, I would like to pay my deepest respect to all the people", said the former UNLF chairman.

Meghen who was reportedly arrested by a Bangladeshi agency on September 29, 2010 was brought before the public by NIA only on December 4, 2010 and claimed that he was arrested from Motihari district of Bihar.

Subsequently, NIA charged Meghen and 18 of his associates for waging war against the State.

"At this moment, I remember my journalist friend and the Telegraph correspondent Khelen Thokchom.

I heard about his sad demise when I was in Guwahati Central Jail", Meghen continued.

"Khelen was also there when I met a group of media persons at a remote place of Chandel district in 2000.After that, I met Khelen again when I was undergoing trial at a special NIA Court at Guwahati.

His demise is a big loss for journalist fraternity and also I lost a friend", he said.

He then conveyed solidarity to the bereaved family of Khelen Thokchom.

Speaking on the restive situation prevailing in Manipur, the former UNLF chairman asserted that no force will be able to disintegrate Manipur if all the communities of the State believe in co-existence, collective development and inter-dependence.

"I can see a different spirit behind the ongoing mass movements as different from such movements seen in the State in the past", Meghen remarked.

From Imphal airport, Meghen went to Kangla and offered prayers at different sacred shrines.

He also paid homage at Hicham Yaichampat, where the mortal remains of Yubaraj Tikendrajit were laid to rest.

The reception function held at his residence was attended by Arambam Lokendra, Soyam Loken, former UNLF Organisation secretary Moirangthem Nongyai and leaders of different Meira Paibi groups as presidium members.