Imphal, February 08: On the occasion of the 21st raising day of the Manipur People's Army (MPA) which falls on February 9, the Military Affairs Committee (MAC) of the proscribed UNLF has extended revolutionary salute and best wishes to the people of the land.

In a statement, the MAC appreciated and hailed the words and deeds of support given by the people of both hills and valley to the MPA in their battles against the security forces.

It also conveyed special regard to the people of Dingpi and Khengjoi areas for their steadfast solidarity with the UNLF/MPA in the face of relentless onslaught and excesses committed by security forces for the last many years.

The MAC acknowledged that the MPA was able to beat the numerically much superior security forces in several battle-fields because of the direct support extended by the local villagers of Dingpi and Khengjoi areas and continuous encouragement provided by the people of Manipur.

On the occasion of the MPA's 21st raising day, the MAC presented a brief report of its ongoing liberation struggle against the alien forces. MPA's war against security forces: Since November 15, 1991 when the UNLF's armed wing MPA launched its first armed attack against security, the MPA has undertaken more than 150 armed attacks till date.

In the ambush undertaken at the hills to the West of Lamangdong, better known as Lamdan Ambush, five CRPF personnel were killed besides confiscating five weapons and two RT sets.

There were some attacks against State forces compelled by certain circumstances just to confiscate their weapons.

However, in accordance to a specific policy of the party, no more attacks were launched against State forces to confiscate their weapons after 1999 .

Other than gun battles that ensued when security forces launched offensive in its base areas, the MPA has undertaken many outstanding ambushes.

So far, the MPA has been able to confiscate more than 170 weapons of different sizes from security forces including State force.

Asserting that the MPA has been fighting with all its strength to expel central security forces from Manipur in close coordination with the people of the State, In the early part of 2005, security forces made an offensive under Operation Tornado in the base area of MPA's 292 Bn (then known as MTF) at Churachandpur.

Against the offensive, the MPA fought several battles in close cooperation with the Kuki people of the area.

In the history of their offensive in the Indo-Burma region, those battles proved most expensive to the security forces as they suffered huge casualties, claimed the MAC.

Altogether 60 security personnel including a Lieutenant Colonel were killed in the battles of Operation Tornado.

One attack where the security forces suffered the most was the attack undertaken by MPA on December 4, 2007 in the jungles of Thangkiyu village near Panshang.

As they admitted in the media, it was the most terrifying battle for the security forces. A large column of 19 Rastriya Rifles advancing to take control of the MPA's Bn Hqs was badly repulsed by two fighting groups of the MPA killing more than 12 security personnel.

Though the battle started by exchange of firing under cover of the thick forest, the opposing forces fought face to face as the battle raged on.

Between 2004 and 2006, more than 30 battles were fought between security forces and MPA cadres in the operational area of the latter's 292 Bn.

In those battles, the MPA lost its 15 cadres.

Had the KNF (German and Thangboi group) not helped the security forces, they would not have been able to advance towards the MPA area, observed the MAC.

Most recently, the security forces launched a heavy offensive under Operation Somtal II on November 17 last year in the interior areas of Chandel district.

However, the MPA cadres fought back valiantly and denied the security forces the goal of their military operation and belied their initial claim to complete the offensive within a specified period of time.

It would not be any exaggeration to say that of all the insurgent groups active in the North East region, it is only the MPA which is able to control an area of considerable size for eight years, building up a formidable base and also defending it successfully against repeated onslaughts.

Repeated attempts of the security forces to destroy the MPA base have proved futile all these three/four years, asserted the MAC.

Even as the security forces have taken control of some parts of Somtal area, the principal base areas of the MPA are still intact.

The recent offensive at Somtal area was undertaken by a combined force of different security units having total strength of two brigades.

The two month long military campaign of the security forces is yet to achieve its real target and they would not be able to in any near future.

Against one MPA cadre, more than 17 security personnel including some offers have been killed in Operation Somtal II so far.

This is a perfect demonstration of the MPA's ideal to fight unto death for the cause of the motherland, asserted the MAC.

The security forces have had undertaken several military campaigns to take control of Somtal area since 2005 but all the campaigns proved costly misadventure, it alleged.

The security forces were able to reach New Somtal area on January 7 this year as they were led by the alleged KNA and UKLF traitors from two directions through secret routes in the hills.

Nevertheless, the MPA has not stopped assaulting the security forces at opportune moments, and it would not cease its counter offensive, disclosed the MAC.

On January 29 this year, the MPA attacked a team of security forces killing four including a Captain at a place in between Molcham and Khenzang.

Such ability of the MPA to engage the security forces for a protracted period has amply demonstrated that the MPA is one insurgent group capable of engaging the security forces in a "war of attrition" not only in Manipur but in the entire region, it claimed.

The battles being fought by the MPA at its base areas are no longer of those types characterised by ambushing security forces coming on foot or in convoy of vehicles.

These battles are confrontations between security forces moving in to occupy MPA controlled areas and MPA cadres determined to drive back the advancing troops.

In short, this is war of attrition between offensive troops and repulsive cadres, it described.

This war of attrition will continue until all the security forces are driven back from all over the State, it observed.

The MPA will be building up its strength to drive back all the security forces from the land in the end, the MAC informed.

Amidst the continuing battles, the UNLF/MPA has been helping the local villagers at its best level allegedly being harassed by the UKLF and the KNA for reportedly cooperating with the MPA.

Drawing moral courage from the successful exploits of the MPA, the insurgent group is preparing for more consequential and outstanding activities in future, the MAC conveyed.

Comment