UPF seeks Centre's attention
Source: The Sangai Express

Lamka, September 08 2015 : Speaking out openly for the first time ever since the three Bills passed by the State Government attracted violent protest and claimed the lives of nine protesters, SoO signatory United People's Front (UPF) has today called for the intervention of the Union Government and sought immediate political dialogue with tribal groups which had entered into SoO with the Government.

Asserting that it is closely examining the current political turmoil and state of anarchy engulfing the hill areas of Manipur following the passing of three anti-tribal Bills by the State Assembly, the armed group has expressed surprise that turmoil of such magnitude has failed to draw the attention of the Union Government till date.

Digging deep into what it termed are the root causes or core issues of the current turmoil, a statement issued by the UPF claimed that the spontaneous reaction and violent protest by the tribals signify the ultimate culmination of the long suppressed anger and deep sense of alienation, subjugation and neglect.

It has also defined political outcry of various tribal bodies in the State as an indication of not only the ineffective and insufficient political administration but also the incapabilities of every successive Government to address the core issues of tribals in Manipur.

The UPF further said it therefore appreciated any move made by any tribal body for the political emancipation of the tribals in Manipur.

The statement signed by Thanglenlal Doungel, Secretary Information UPF noted that unfortunately some intellectuals and politicians alike advocated and considered the troubles in the hill areas of Manipur as a 'mere law and order problem' thereby overlooking the 'cause' as well as the core issue.

Law and order, argued the armed conglomerate, is just the symptom and not the disease and thus urged those at the helm of power to treat the disease and address the core political issues which have befallen the tribals of Manipur.

The UPF has also stated that it is with this objective of addressing this core issue that it had entered into a tripartite SoO with the Union Government and the Government of Manipur from 2008 .

The primary objective of the SoO, it claimed, is to initiate political dialogue for a durable political solution in the otherwise trouble-ridden hill areas of Manipur and charged the State Government under O Ibobi Singh of refusing to hold any political dialogue with the UPF and other SoO groups for reasons best known to him.

It even claimed to have submitted a non-communal, inclusive and pragmatic charter of demands and accused the State Government of sitting over it inspite of its soundness.

Comment