Will not compromise UNLF’s stand for ‘sovereignty’ of Manipur – Nongyai

Acting chairman of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) Moirangthem Nongyai today said that the UNLF (led by Chairman Pambei) has neither surrendered nor laid down weapons even though it has signed a peace agreement to initiate peace dialogue with the government of India on November 29 at New Delhi.
Talking at the felicitation function of the UNLF led by chairman Pambei, the Acting Chairman of the armed rebel group said that the UNLF will never compromise its stand for the ‘sovereignty of Manipur’.
“After around 2 and half years of negotiation UNLF under the leadership of Chairman Pambei finally agreed to cease-fire with the government of India for initiating dialogue to resolve the year-long conflict between Manipur and India”, acting chairman of the UNLF led by Chairman Pambei said.
Over 550 armed cadres of the rebel group were felicitated by the government of Manipur at what could be called a ‘historic’ function organized at Kangla in Imphal. Family members, civil society representatives, and student body representatives attended the felicitation function which Chief Minister N. Biren Singh term as ‘historic occasion’ for a way towards bringing peace and harmony in Manipur.
General Secretary of the oldest armed insurgent group Chabungbam Thanil, while speaking on the occasion recounted the history of UNLF and its aims and objectives for the formation.
“UNLF was not established for a specific community, its first President was Kalalung Kamei, an ethnic Kabui community member, and the Vice president was from among the Kipgen clan, which belongs to the Kuki community”, Thanil said.
Even though UNLF was established on November 24, 1964, organisation started armed struggle only during the 1990s. The earlier government had tried to suppress the legitimate struggle using military means and had killed many people under various draconian acts instead of trying a political solution, Moirangthem Nongyai said and thanked the government of Manipur for felicitating a dialogue to resolve the year-old conflict.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who is the leader behind the initiation of the peace deal said that the signing of the peace agreement on November 29, 2023, has been made possible with the support, cooperation, and encouragement of the people of Manipur.
Addressing the reception ceremony which was also attended by family members of the UNLF cadres, the Chief Minister said that human lives are very precious and we have lost many lives. The process for signing the peace agreement under the guidance and advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah took around 3 years, he added.
N. Biren Singh also expressed gratitude to the leaders, Central Committee, cadres, and MPA of UNLF for accepting the Central government’s proposal for peace.
Urging all outfits of the region to enter the peace process, the Chief Minister said he is ready to work as the facilitator for any outfit desiring to enter the peace process.
N. Biren Singh also appealed against spreading misinformation through social media without proper verification which could disturb the peace in the society.
To the people of the State, N. Biren Singh urged them to be united. We have been living divided for a long and lost many precious lives due to the division. Let us learn to sacrifice, the Chief Minister said reiterating his earlier call for people to forgive and forget.
He continued that the people of Manipur should also acknowledge the actions of the Centre under PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in lifting the AFSPA and implementation of the ILP in Manipur.
Speaking of the peace agreement, N. Biren Singh urged the people to encourage each other. Let us be united to rebuild a strong and united Manipur, the Chief Minister said to the communities residing together in the State.
The government is not against any community residing together in the State, the Chief Minister said, adding that the government is only trying to protect the communities.
As part of the ceremony, the cadres of the UNLF were also feted and pigeons were released carrying the message of peace, hope, and development.
The ceremony was also attended by Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, cabinet ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, DGP, Army, civil and police officers, intellectuals, and eminent personalities, among others.