People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) (Progressive) Chairman Longjam Paliba M has accused the Indian government of pursuing policies that threaten Manipur’s territorial integrity, deepen ethnic divisions and undermine the state’s stability, while describing India’s economic growth claims as “Gross Domestic Propaganda”.
In a message issued on the occasion of the 50th Raising Day of the outfit’s Red Army on October 9, Paliba paid revolutionary tribute to members who had sacrificed their lives and expressed solidarity with families affected by injuries, deaths and disappearances during the ongoing conflict. He also acknowledged volunteers and women involved in defending their communities.
Questioning India’s foreign policy, Paliba alleged that the country was pursuing contradictory strategic interests by participating in both BRICS and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). He accused the government of projecting India as a champion of peace while allegedly contributing to conflict in Manipur. He further alleged that armed Kuki groups had been supplied with sophisticated weapons, claims that could not be independently verified.
The PREPAK (Progressive) chairman accused the state government of accommodating groups allegedly seeking to break up Manipur, describing the situation as a threat to the state’s territorial integrity. He also criticised the Centre for what he characterised as inaction, alleging that government policies were aggravating divisions instead of resolving the conflict.
Highlighting the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs), Paliba said many families remained unable to return home, while extensive paddy fields continued to lie uncultivated. He further alleged that the presence of central forces and Kuki armed groups in certain areas restricted movement among indigenous communities.
He criticised elected representatives, particularly those from the valley, for failing to secure the safe return of displaced families and alleged that civil society organisations and village defence groups were facing pressure.
He also questioned the significance of homecoming celebrations while displaced people remained unable to reclaim their homes and lands.
Calling for greater unity and discipline, Paliba invoked the philosophical concept of akrasia, describing what he considered a tendency towards impulsive action and inadequate collective commitment. He argued that short-lived movements without sustained planning would fail to achieve lasting political objectives.
Turning to the national economy, he accused the BJP-led government of manipulating economic figures to portray stronger growth, mocking the country’s GDP as “Gross Domestic Propaganda”. Despite India’s natural resources and educated youth, he argued, widespread poverty persisted alongside political privilege. He also questioned the neutrality of the Election Commission of India, citing concerns over electoral fairness.
Referring to the killing of villagers at Pilong near the Manipur border, which the statement attributed to the Kuki National Front (B), Paliba questioned the effectiveness of the much-publicised “surgical operation” associated with the BJP’s political messaging. He also questioned whether Indian armed forces had been involved in the attack, without providing independently verifiable evidence.
Concluding the message, Paliba called for unity against the Indian government and groups the outfit considers aligned with it. The allegations and political claims contained in the statement could not be independently verified.