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--- Begin Message ---UNLF shows willingness to befriend NSCN (IM)The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Nov 23: The underground United National Liberation Front, reiterating its basic philosophy of co-existence and co-development among all the ethnic peoples of the north-eastern region, has extended the hand of friendship to the NSCN(IM), provided that it abandons the path of compromise with India.
The central committee of the UNLF, in its annual statement issued on the eve of its 41st anniversary, cautioned that the struggle between the ethnic-exclusivist ideological line followed by the NSCN(IM), and the ideology aspiring for a common future in coexistence was fast approaching a flashpoint, and needs urgently to be addressed.
The most serious challenge confronting Manipur today is the effect of the peace process between the Indian government and the NSCN(IM), it said, noting that the question disturbing the minds of the people is whether the overall integrity of Manipur woud be compromised in India`s effort to buy out the NSCN(IM) for a permanent peace deal.
Another possible scenario is that the NSCN(IM), in desperation, may try to foment ethnic bloodshed between Nagas and Meeteis in the event that the government of India ultimately rejects the NSCN(IM) demand for inclusion of Naga-inhabited areas in Nagalim, the statement said, and urged all concerned not to indulge in such short-sighted policies which will only result in sinking together.
`The UNLF knows well that this is the politics of some self-centred people, not the aspiration of the common Nagas. We would sincerely appeal to the Naga leaders, particularly Naga leaders of Manipur, to seriously look at matters in the larger interest of all concerned. Because it is high time to realise that such politics plays directly into the game of India to divide and destroy us,` the statement said.
The historical reality of the region provides no other way than peaceful coexistence among all its ethnic peoples, it reiterated.
While stressing that in the event of India`s sacrificing Manipur`s integrity as a result of a compromise between the government of India and the NSCN(IM), the people of Manipur would have no other option but to launch an all-out offensive to overthrow Indian colonial rule, the statement said in case of any misadventure on the NSCN(IM)`s part to foment ethnic bloodshed, the response of the Meeteis as well as other ethnic peoples should be to prevent such violence at all cost. In this context, the UNLF appealed to all the ethnic communities of Manipur to be prepared in order to face any eventuality so as to protect the common interest of all ethnic communities.
`Everything said and done however, in the larger interest of the entire ethnic peoples of Manipur and the region, the UNLF reiterates that it is ready to work together with the NSCN(IM) provided they abandon the path of compromise with India,` the statement said, and urged upon the NSCN(IM) leaders that our freedom and independence can be won only through a united struggle against India, not through isolated `peace talks` with the adversary.
The NSCN(IM) leadership should also realise that the respective aspirations of all ethnic peoples of the region is to something to be discussed and resolved among them honestly, and not to be negotiated with a third party, the UNLF said.
Clarifying its stance on India`s Look East policy, the UNLF said though it is outwardly stated to be for the economic development of Manipur, it is actually targeted against the national liberation struggle, with the intent of defeating it through the process of globalisation. As such, it emphasised the paramount importance of the people of Manipur being prepared beforehand so as to turn the Look East policy to their own advantage.
Reiterating its stance that until colonial rule is overthrown, economic development is not at all possible under present circumstances, the UNLF said the people of Manipur need to chart out their own Look East policy in order to protect and safeguard their national identity and national interests as they join the process of globalisation. It also stressed the need to launch an economic movement based on such a Look East policy.
The UNLF statement also laid stress on a cultural renaissance to rediscover the intrinsic values of Manipuri culture that is inherent in their national identity, which it said is the only answer against the challenge of external cultural onslaughts. In this regard, it appealed to cultural activists and experts to work together and rediscover the intrinsic values that are inherent in our national identity. It also laid stressed on taking up effective measures to check negative cultural influence from outside.
Regarding the military struggle against Indian forces, the statement said the determined fighters of the MPA have defeated the numerically stronger Indian forces in many engagements in Chandel, Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Ukhrul districts, which has established the pyschological superiority of the MPA over the mercenary Indian forces. `We have now entered a qualitatively higher stage with profound historic significance`, it said, and expressed gratitude to the people and fighters who made it possible.
Refering to its new political offensive in the form of the 4-point plebiscite proposal floated in January this year, the UNLF said it is a proposal not only to resolve the armed conflict democratically, but also a step intented to make the people aware and conscious of their democratic rights and empower them accordingly to take part in resolving the Manipur-India political conflict.
The beginning of the open discourse on the issue of plebiscite is the seeding of the inevitable democratic movement for plebiscite, it said, noting, in this context, the fact that the issue was tabled and discussed in the Manipur Assembly. This is the seeding of our people`s democratic struggle that will ultimately decide the future of Manipur, it said.
`However, one should not have the illusion of holding plebiscite in the immediate future as that will only distract the purpose of the discource,`, the statement said, observing that India will not give a positive response readily.
Reiterating its observation that there was a polarisation between two distinct political ideologies, one laying stress onunity among ethnic peoples on the basis of self-determination, and the other seeking territorial space for ethnic-exclusive identities, the statement further noted that organisations belonging to second categry have declared ceasefires with India and some have entered the process of peace talks ultimately resulting to abandoning sovereignty and independence for the sake of territory.
Such a scenario outwardly presents the struggle of the region in a bad light, the statement said, but maintained that the emerging situation will prove which one is the correct line of national liberation struggle.
With regard to the ULFA proposal that talks can be held only on the issue of restorationof Assam`s sovereignty through their People`s Consultative Group, the UNLF statement said this is a new experiment in the search for solution of their respective struggles in accordance with their specific conditions. The UNLF will have to watch the outcome of the experiment, it said.
http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=27720&typeid=1
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