GUHAWATI: The Myanmar-based anti-talks section of Manipur’s oldest separatist outfit United National Liberation Front (UNLF) headed by Koireng issued a statement on Saturday, describing as a “death trap” the recent peace agreement signed by its breakaway group led by Pambei with the Centre and the state government.
“The UNLF hereby inform our people that Pambei group has deviated from the time-tested fundamental political principle of UNLF…is tantamount to total betrayal of the goal of UNLF…The attempt of India govt to give the impression that by signing the peace talks agreement with the breakaway group of UNLF can only be described as ignorance of the dynamics of our national liberation struggle,” stated the anti-talks faction commanded by RK Achou Singh alias Koireng.
According to the UNLF anti-talks faction, the government has never agreed to include “sovereignty and independence” in any talks with separatist groups. “This is the stand India govt took on holding talks with NSCN and ULFA. This is precisely the reason ULFA (Paresh Baruah faction) of Assam has not accepted to hold talks with India govt till today,” it stated.
The pro-talks faction, led by chairman Khundongbam Lanjingba alias Pambei, asserted Saturday that they had not compromised on the demand for “restoration of Manipur’s sovereignty” & would not lay down arms until the final peace accord is signed.
Manipur CM N Biren Singh expressed optimism about a smooth process at a felicitation event hosted by the state government in Imphal, where 500 cadres and workers of the pro-talks group were present. “The peace agreement has already been signed, and now there will be the (ceasefire) ground rules, which will be finalised soon by the Centre and UNLF with involvement of the state government. Under ground rules, the weapons will be kept locked. I think everything will sail smoothly,” Singh added.
During the event, pro-talks UNLF leaders made their stand clear. The faction’s acting chairman Moirangthem Nongyai said: “The people shouldn’t interpret that UNLF has laid down arms. We’ve only started the peace process.”
Formed in November 1964, UNLF aimed to establish an “independent socialist Manipur”. Chabungbam Naba Chandra, group’s general secretary, asserted: “We expect an amicable solution. If the expectation isn’t reached, we won’t put down arms. The Centre realised our fight for freedom, which is why we have come for talks. We are doing this for the restoration of sovereignty of Manipur.”
“The UNLF hereby inform our people that Pambei group has deviated from the time-tested fundamental political principle of UNLF…is tantamount to total betrayal of the goal of UNLF…The attempt of India govt to give the impression that by signing the peace talks agreement with the breakaway group of UNLF can only be described as ignorance of the dynamics of our national liberation struggle,” stated the anti-talks faction commanded by RK Achou Singh alias Koireng.
According to the UNLF anti-talks faction, the government has never agreed to include “sovereignty and independence” in any talks with separatist groups. “This is the stand India govt took on holding talks with NSCN and ULFA. This is precisely the reason ULFA (Paresh Baruah faction) of Assam has not accepted to hold talks with India govt till today,” it stated.
The pro-talks faction, led by chairman Khundongbam Lanjingba alias Pambei, asserted Saturday that they had not compromised on the demand for “restoration of Manipur’s sovereignty” & would not lay down arms until the final peace accord is signed.
Manipur CM N Biren Singh expressed optimism about a smooth process at a felicitation event hosted by the state government in Imphal, where 500 cadres and workers of the pro-talks group were present. “The peace agreement has already been signed, and now there will be the (ceasefire) ground rules, which will be finalised soon by the Centre and UNLF with involvement of the state government. Under ground rules, the weapons will be kept locked. I think everything will sail smoothly,” Singh added.
During the event, pro-talks UNLF leaders made their stand clear. The faction’s acting chairman Moirangthem Nongyai said: “The people shouldn’t interpret that UNLF has laid down arms. We’ve only started the peace process.”
Formed in November 1964, UNLF aimed to establish an “independent socialist Manipur”. Chabungbam Naba Chandra, group’s general secretary, asserted: “We expect an amicable solution. If the expectation isn’t reached, we won’t put down arms. The Centre realised our fight for freedom, which is why we have come for talks. We are doing this for the restoration of sovereignty of Manipur.”
Explained: What UNLF peace accord means for the future of Manipur
While this faction engages in peace talks, the Centre and Manipur are yet to involve six remaining Imphal valley-based insurgent groups – People’s Liberation Army, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, Kangleipak Communist Party, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, Coordination Committee, and Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak – in the peace process.