Advisor of the United Peoples’ Front, Manipur (UPF), Khomdram Ratan, said that the people of Manipur must protect their identity with wisdom, restraint, and unity, without resorting to violence or acting in haste under provocation. He stated that if India or any other authority fails to safeguard the people, they would be compelled to collectively question such failure.
He was speaking at a programme held today at Paona Bazarbashi, Abhoynagar, Agartala, organised as part of the month-long Reconciliation Month observance under the theme “Let Us Not Repeat the Seven Years’ Devastation”. The programme took place at the premises of Iputhou Puthiba Shanglen and was organised by the Puthiba Welfare and Cultural Society, Tripura, with the participation of Meetei community members residing in Tripura.
The programme also marked the observance of the seventh anniversary of a historic event, during which slogans such as “We Shall Rise Again” and “Long Live Manipur” were raised by the participants.
Addressing the gathering, Khomdram Ratan said the pain, suffering, and injustices experienced over the past seven years must be remembered with seriousness and responsibility. He recalled that during the period of devastation, leaders and elders stood together with unity and courage to confront injustice, thereby strengthening the collective spirit of Manipur. He observed that Manipur continues to face grave challenges even today, with its very existence under threat.
He said unity remains the only viable path forward and that there is no alternative to standing together as one people. Reiterating his remarks, he stated that if India fails to protect the people of Manipur, they would have no option but to raise their questions collectively.
He further said that the time has come for Manipuris to open their eyes and stand united beyond divisions. He informed that UPF has been organising awareness and unity programmes at different places as part of the Reconciliation Month initiative. He added that the responsibility of safeguarding Manipur’s collective strength and future lies particularly with the Meetei community, and warned that failure to unite at this critical juncture would have serious consequences.
Khomdram Ratan further said that his remarks were not intended to incite or provoke, but to convey the message that Manipur belongs to all its people and that every Manipuri must clearly understand and uphold this truth.