Imphal, February 25: Stressing on the importance of equal development, Chaoren said that for development to have any meaning, it should be based on the principle of scientific socialism so that the fruits of development percolate down to every section of society.

Development should not benefit only a certain section of society and the tillers of the soil, the farmers should be brought to a level playing field.

Today's economic policy is not based on the need of the poor and needy section of society, observed Chaoren and described the prevailing system as those favouring the rich and powerful.

Though India may crow about the economic growth, the fact stands there is growing unemployment which is the anti-thesis to development, said the outfit.

On the growth of Manipur during the 10th Five Year Plan, Chaoren recalled that the growth in the agriculture sector was 1.05, industry 9.30 and 3.42 in the service sector and 4.09 in all the other sectors.

Manipur is an agrarian society and the extremely low growth rate in the agriculture sector means that there is no development and far from developing, the people will come to a stage where mere survival is a challenge.

Another cause of concern is the manner in which the natural resources of Manipur have been exploited by the powers that be.

It would be in the fitness of things to check this rampant exploitation of the natural wealth of the State, cautioned Chaoren.

If the natural resources are to be utilised at all, then it should be done so only after the consent of the 36 groups of indigenous people of Manipur is obtained.

Till date there has been no dynamic economic policy to suit the system of land ownership, development of agriculture and to suit the Look East policy, said Chaoren.

The only policy that has been pursued is to make the people dependent on the goods manufactured outside Manipur and effecting cosmetic changes of some places.

There is no reason for all revolutionary organisations to welcome the sham development and the efforts to cover up the contradictions thrown up by the capitalist countries following globalisation in 1991, super imposition etc.

mooted the RPF leader.

Despite the presence of the Universal declaration of human rights, the introduction of the universal declaration of rights to development is sure to impede people's participation, said the statement and added that this challenge too should be met politically.

The memorandum issued by the RPF in 1997 spelt out in clear cut terms and produced documents to show that Manipur existed as an independent Nation for 2000 years, before she was annexed by India, claimed Chaoren.

It is to reclaim the lost sovereignty of the land that RPF launched the armed movement, said Chaoren and reminded the people that the liberation struggle is for all the 36 indigenous communities of Manipur.

As such, development, freedom and protecting the territory of Manipur will be the joint declaration of all.

The political, economic and social differences that one sees all around are the results of being ruled by an alien power, said Chaoren and added that meeting this challenge is not tough.

The only thing needed is for the people to work under the philosophy of a common historical background and common geographical unity.

There is also the needed efforts to promote an economic culture, which should be based on the interdependency between the people of the hills and the valley.

The belief should be that without the hills the valley cannot survive and likewise the hills cannot survive without the valley, reasoned Chaoren.

The Meiteis too should not come under the impression that since they are the majority they should lead in every field.

On the possibility of holding talks with India, the RPF chief said that the outfit had earlier stated its stand and added that the stand has not changed.

However Chaoren said that if a talk is at all to be fruitful, then it can come only when the revolutionary movement scales new heights.

If the revolutionary movement is not at its strongest wave, there freedom can never be attained through dialogues, explained the RPF leader.

Citing an example, Chaoren said that the peace talk between India and NSCN (IM) is 10 years old.

The only thing that they have agreed upon is to hold another round to talks, observed Chaoren.

The thirst for freedom now seems to have ebbed away and instead of getting ready to sweat it out, easy money and fratricidal killings have become the order of the day, said the statement.

Will the revolutionaries want their mission to tread this path, questioned the RPF leader.

It is also important to note that the UN is yet to take cognizance of the revolutionary struggle launched in Manipur, admitted Chaoren.

Instead of drawing the attention of the UN to the freedom struggle, what has been projected is the infighting amongst the people, said the statement.

The emergence of ethnic army has eroded the spirit and value of revolutionary movement, said Chaoren and added that all revolutionaries should work to negate this.

It is essential to reinforce the difference between the cadres of the revolutionary outfits and personnel of the Indian army, said Chaoren.

Towards this end it is important to show whether the cadres of the revolutionary outfits are friends or enemies of the people.

The RPF signed Article 3 of the Geneva Convention of in 1997 to send out the message that the outfit stands for the interest of the people.

Today, all revolutionaries need to identify who is the friend of the people and who is the enemy or else the people may view the revolutionary movements in the wrong light, he cautioned.

Making the stand of the RPF known, Chaoren said that clubbing the revolutionary movement with the movement linked to religion, culture, script and language has the potential to shift the focus of the revolutionary movement, in a place like Manipur which is home to a number of communities.

The policy of clubbing the armed movement with issues concerning religion, culture, language and script will lead to tension and stand offs amongst the people, said the RPF leader adding that this act as the hurdle to unity.

India and her cohorts have taken advantage of this situation to sow the seeds of disunity amongst the people, said the statement and added that the struggle ought to be waged with the co-operation of all the 36 indigenous communities.

Religious tolerance should be the call of the hour, said Chaoren and added that no one should interfere in the religious beliefs and practices of others.

Religious fundamentalism and economic fundamentalism are the two factors which have hit the people of the fourth world the hardest, said Chaoren.

Comment