IT News
Imphal, Feb 24:
Proscribed group Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) is observing its 46th foundation day tomorrow, marking the anniversary of its emergence in the WESEA region. On the occasion, RPF Acting President MM Ngouba paid tribute to the martyred heroes who, he stated, had made the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle to liberate Manipur and its people.
In a message by MM Ngouba it is stated that the RPF was established on this day in 1979 with the objective of launching a revolutionary movement for Manipur’s freedom. The organization stated that its formation was guided by new ideas and a progressive ideology, discarding outdated beliefs and narrow perspectives. It emphasized that only a party rooted in the ideologies of Marx, Lenin, and Mao Zedong could effectively lead the people against what it described as a formidable adversary. With this realization, the Revolutionary Government of Manipur (RGM) was dissolved, leading to the establishment of the RPF. Since then, under RPF’s leadership, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its supporters have continued their movement in solidarity.
The acting President of the RPF highlighted that the organization had persistently led the liberation movement with unwavering determination and significant sacrifices. It expressed pride in its achievements while reaffirming its commitment to its goals. It attributed the movement’s endurance to three key factors: adherence to scientific ideology, belief in the just cause of Manipur’s liberation, and trust in the power of the people. It also stated that the strength of the movement lay in the resilience and unity of the people, who, according to the RPF, had endured oppression under what it termed a colonial regime.
Reiterating Manipur’s historical background, the MM Ngouba asserted that the state had been an independent kingdom for over 2,000 years, with its people making sacrifices to protect its sovereignty. The organization claimed that after World War II, Manipur had embarked on a journey toward democracy and independence. However, it alleged that the Indian government misrepresented Manipur’s historical independence and sought to integrate the state through misleading narratives. The statement further accused authorities of distorting the concept of Manipur’s sovereignty and attempting to divide the people by assigning different labels to revolutionaries.
The statement also criticized the Indian government, alleging that Manipur had seen minimal development and a lack of basic human rights since its annexation. It accused the authorities of allowing an unchecked influx of immigrants, posing an existential threat to the indigenous population. The RPF further claimed that draconian laws had been imposed to exploit the state’s resources and that divisive policies were being implemented to create mistrust among communities. It argued that Manipur’s economy was being deliberately weakened to foster dependency on external forces, leaving its people in conditions akin to refugees in their own homeland.
Despite these challenges, the RPF stated that the people of Manipur had recognized the need to take decisive steps in response. It noted the rise of slogans such as “We should defend our own nation, we should decide our own fate” and “Unity is strength, unite,” reflecting growing awareness among the people. The organization acknowledged the formation of various groups addressing the crisis but pointed out that lack of coordination and strategic alignment had hindered their effectiveness.
Stressing the importance of unity, the RPF asserted that collective strength was crucial to achieving the shared objectives of the people. It noted that while various organizations had mobilized movements, success depended on coordinated strategies and pre-planned resolutions to internal conflicts. The statement cited instances of unity demonstrated in village defense efforts but expressed concern over subsequent divisions, which had weakened collective actions.
Regarding Manipur’s political status, the RPF reaffirmed its stance that the state’s independence was lost through coercion. It reiterated that the 1949 Merger Agreement had been declared invalid multiple times by the people of Manipur. Citing international legal principles, the organization accused India of violating trust between sovereign states, using coercion against Manipur’s representatives, and failing to conduct a referendum on integration, thus rendering the agreement null and void under international law. The statement claimed that Manipur remained under colonial occupation.
The RPF called for unwavering unity in the pursuit of what it described as the only rightful cause—Manipur’s independence. It warned that any deviation from this path would yield no positive outcomes. Urging the people to remain steadfast, the organization stated that reclaiming sovereignty was the ultimate solution to the state’s current challenges.
