Imphal, April 21 2010: Reminding that it was on April 23, 1891 that the Manipuri forefathers sacrificed their lives at the sacred battle of Khongjom against the British to protect and defend the freedom and sovereignty of Manipur, the proscribed RPF has expressed that they (forefathers) were not prepared to easily give away freedom of the Nation without giving a fight to the then greatest imperialist power on the earth where the saying goes that sun never sets on the British Empire.

The great forefathers firmly believed in the principle that it is better to live for a moment with freedom and dignity rather than to live for hundred years under bondage and servitude, an RPF release issued by its Publicity secretary T Leisemba said.

"The patriotic forefathers who cherished this spirit gave their lives without any hesitation while fighting the enemies.

Even those youths who are yet to emerge from the protective arms of their mothers gave their precious lives for the motherland.

Eventually, the Nation had lost her freedom.

Their deeds and actions have earned them martyrdom and they died as freemen and not as slaves," the release maintained.

Calling upon the people as the Khongjom Day nears, the armed outfit said the historic event is a matter of importance for one and all to ponder over and introspect whether 'we are free or not'.

After the Nation was able to free herself from the shackles of British imperialism yet she was coerced into becoming a part of India which is more sinister and venomous in its imperialist designs than the British, it alleged while contending that many pro-Indian protagonists are hell bent on playing the canard of claiming Manipur a free state.

"These protagonists are desecrating the sacred river by their namesake acts of offering floral tributes in the memory of our heroic forefathers which is nothing but acts of insulting the heroes of the land," the statement alleged with apparent reference to leaders of political organisations taking part in the annual ritual of offering floral tributes to the forefathers at the Khongjom River.

Continuing the tirade against the Government, Leisemba said, "The onslaught of state terrorism have rendered our people into leading a life of sham living.

The imposition of draconian laws have denied peoples' right to freedom of expression and suppressed free exercise of opinion in the guise of compensation.

The present colonial regime unleashes countless suffering over the hapless people of this land.

Many black laws are imposed, people are oppressed, butchered, chastity of our sisters are disrobed with brazen disregard of international conventions which civilized nations may find it disgusting to hear such stories" .

Opining that the battle of Khongjom had shown the path of freedom to the disgruntled and anchorless generation, he suggested that the people must prepare to be a part of today's fast changing world.

"This is our people's right to live.

The basic rights of the people of Manipur have been continuously denied by India though she was able to remain free from the British.

Our freedom struggle must strive to attain new heights by treading the footsteps left behind by our forefathers" .

The exploitative regime under the Indian Constitution has not only denied the basic rights of freedom to the people of Manipur but also of the entire north eastern region, the outfit alleged adding that 'The Indian politics based on the principle of class and caste have divided the communities of the region with their principle of divide and rule thereby destroying unity of the people that consequently weakens the social fabric of the region'.

Posing 'shall we continue to lead a wretched, timid and cowardly life', he stressed that the people should not forget the fact that Manipuris are the offshoots of Paona, Yengkhoiba, Heirangkhongja and Chinglensana.

On this sacred and auspicious Khongjom Day by recalling the heroic deeds and acts of the brave forefathers we call upon our compatriots to prepare ourselves to sacrifice and carry forward the freedom struggle, the secretary emphasised.

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