Future destiny lies in collective development : UNLF-1
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 23 2015: The proscribed UNLF has categorically stated that the future of all the indigenous people of Western South East Asia (WESEA) who share common genealogy lies in inter-dependence and collective development.

A lengthy statement issued by the outfit's Central Committee on the occasion of its 51st raising day (November 24) conveyed best wishes to all the people of Manipur.

Inter-dependence and collective development of all the indigenous people is a legacy determined by the shared history which must be carried forward.

UNLF's relationship with the masses is based on this conviction.

The 60 year old liberation movement of the land is passing through a critical phase today.

While all ethno-exclusive liberation movements have been breaking, collective national liberation movement is unable to achieve any substantial progressive stride.

There are historical weaknesses in both these types of armed movements.

Ethno-exclusive movements are often marred by inter-ethnic conflicts and difference of opinions among leaders belonging to different tribes.

This sometimes snowballed into inter-tribe conflicts.

In their efforts to build up their own identity, ethno-exclusive movements often tend to usurp geographical space occupied by neighbouring communities leading to conflicts with the neighbouring communities.

Most of these ethno-exclusive movements ended with some sort of compromise with the alien rule, reads the Central Committee's statement.

Although it is a fact that only a united struggle can liberate all the people of the land from the colonial yoke, a united struggle still remains elusive on account of ethno-exclusive movements.

Because of these ethno-exclusive movements, internal contradictions among different communities of Manipur are often treated as the primary contradiction while the India-Manipur contradiction is pushed to the secondary level.

From the perspective of the UNLF, a united struggle can resolve all internal contradictions apart from delivering freedom to all the people of Manipur.

It is a matter of grave concerned that on account of the ethno-exclusive movements, no liberation movement is able to mobilize peasants, workers and other sections of people and build up their strength based on a well defined ideology.

As a result, there have been instances of some revolutionary groups deviating towards self-centric approach of the middle class while some surrendered to the adversary forces.

It is crucial to address all the weaknesses of the two types of liberation movements.

The liberation movements should be guided by a distinct ideology.

Giving an account of the UNLF's ideology, its revolutionary principle and other related matters, the Central Committee appealed to the masses to study the same.

The UNLF firmly believes that no nation should occupy another nation, and all societies should be free from all kinds of exploitation.

Mankind can enjoy meaningful freedom only when such a society free from all kinds of exploitation can be established.

Liberation movements will rage on as long as nations continue to occupy other nations and one nation/community continues to subjugate other communities.

Revolutionary movements will never cease as long as a handful of people keep all the resources of a country within their hands and go on exploiting the working classes.

This is an undeniable historical fact, asserted the outfit.

After Manipur, which was an independent nation for centuries and which never formed a part of India, was annexed in 1949, Manipur was reduced to the status of a Part C State of India.

Since then, Manipur is being subjugated as a colony, it alleged.

Apart from political subjugation, Manipur has bee reduced to the status of a captive market economically.

Moreover, the identity and culture of Manipur are also being systematically diluted and obliterated.

The Government of India has been following a policy of racial assimilation with a sinister design to exterminate all the indigenous people of Manipur.

On the other hand, capitalising on the contradictions between hill people and plain people which resulted from topographical differences and productivity, the Government of India (GoI) has been scheming relentlessly to create a gap between hill people and plain people, and widen the same gap.

In addition to spewing venom among the hill people, Government of India has planted a notion among the plain people that inclusion of the Meitei in the ST list would pave way for rapid progress .

By inciting some section of Meitei people, GoI has been conspiring to create new conflicts between hill people and plain people.

A revolutionary movement is a historical necessity in order to save Manipur from political subjugation, economic exploitation and demographic invasion, it asserted.

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