SOREPA links workers’ plight to ongoing conflict in Manipur

The proscribed outfit Socialist Revolutionary Party (SOREPA) extended revolutionary greetings to the working people of Manipur while linking labour issues to the ongoing conflict and broader political situation in the state in its statement on occasion of International Workers’ Day 2026,
In a statement released by its Publicity and Organisation Secretary MC Yaiphabi, SOREPA said May Day, observed globally on May 1, commemorates the struggles and sacrifices of workers. The group paid tribute to the working class, stating that since the earliest phases of human civilisation, labourers have been central to wealth creation while facing persistent exploitation and hardship.
The statement traced the historical roots of May Day to the labour movement in the United States, particularly the agitation that began on May 1, 1886, demanding fair wages and an eight-hour workday. It referred to the Haymarket affair of May 4, 1886, where violence led to multiple deaths and injuries, describing the episode as a defining moment in the global struggle for workers’ rights. It further noted that the declaration of May 1 as International Workers’ Day during the 1889 Second International in Paris helped institutionalise the observance and promote global labour solidarity.
According to SOREPA, workers remain the backbone of society, producing essential goods and sustaining economies, even as the benefits of their labour are often appropriated by others. The group stated that the legacy of the Haymarket incident inspired labour movements worldwide and influenced revolutionary struggles in regions including Russia, China, Korea, Latin America, Africa and parts of Asia.
Turning to the situation in Manipur, the statement claimed that workers are currently facing severe hardships amid prolonged unrest. It alleged that both agricultural and industrial activities have been disrupted, with farmlands, workplaces and homes affected by violence. The group asserted that restoration of normalcy would require rebuilding damaged infrastructure and reclaiming livelihoods, describing this as a collective responsibility of the people.
The statement invoked historical resistance movements such as the Vietnam War, stating that unity among workers played a key role in defending land and sovereignty. It further claimed that both non-violent and armed forms of resistance are emerging in Manipur among various sections, including workers and women.
Addressing what it termed as an “ongoing struggle for national survival,” SOREPA alleged that the current conflict involves external forces and proxy groups, posing a threat to the existence, identity and self-determination of indigenous communities. It described the situation as part of a broader pattern of global conflicts, drawing parallels with regions such as Palestine and Iran.
The group maintained that the resources and wealth of Manipur belong to its people and are inseparable from their identity. It called for unity among workers and indigenous communities, urging them to strengthen what it described as a collective movement to safeguard land, livelihoods and future generations.
In a strongly worded section, the statement characterised the ongoing conflict as a struggle for survival and freedom, asserting that it goes beyond a conventional war and directly affects the existence of indigenous populations. It alleged that external intervention and the involvement of proxy groups are aimed at dismantling the social fabric of the region.
SOREPA called for intensified unity among workers, farmers and indigenous communities, stating that their collective labour, culture and resources form the foundation of society. It asserted that the ongoing struggle is not only about resistance but also about preserving identity, protecting heritage and securing a self-determined future.