Imphal, January 17: Looking back at the history of Manipur, ever since the monarchy was done away with, the proscribed KYKL said that the first people's movement can be traced to the struggle launched by Jananeta Hijam Irabot and added that the armed movement which came to prominence has also been marred by bloody feuds between rival groups and factional fights.

Briefly recounting the history of the land, KYKL in a statement said that the formation of the Manipur Nationalist Party in the period 1950-60 which raised the demand for autonomy of Manipur and the implementation of the clauses of the merger agreement, was another example of a people' movement.

Manipur did not remain isolated from the world wide development that took place after WW II and the demand raised by different nationalities for their right to self determination began to knock at the door of the people here too, observed the outfit and added that in was in keeping with the sweeping changes around the world that Meitei State Council and the UNLF was set up in 1960-70.At the fag end of the decade, the Revolutionary Government of Manipur was set up by some members of the UNLF but its movement subsided in the early 70s.However the armed movement gained in momentum from 1978 and since then there has been no looking back.

Giving a blow by blow account of the splits and internecine killings between rival factions, KYKL said that even though the RGM split from UNLF in the period 1960-70, there was not blood shed.

Then in 1979-80, PLA and the Poirei Liberation Front was born out of the RGM.

The two factions engaged in factional killings and at least 40/50 persons were killed in the factional feud, said KYKL.

In 1980, PREPAK split and again about 20 people were killed in the ensuing factional fights.

Between 1980 and 1990, some group of people defected from the PLA and though it did not escalate into a major factional feud, about 6 people were killed, KYKL recalled.

The UNLF also split into two and between 1992-2001 a fierce factional fight ensued.

One of the groups rechristened themselves as the KYKL and in the nine long years of feud, about 150 people lost their lives while another 10 were disabled for life, said KYKL.

Factional feud emerged within the PREPAK again in 1995-96 and at least 15 people were killed in the clash that followed, said the outfit and added the newly formed KYKL also split into two in 1996.In the factional fight that followed, about ten persons lost their lives.

The splits within the KCP from 1997 to 2000 also accounted the death of 40/50 people, added KYKL.

Who are the losers and who are gainers when such factional fights arise, questioned the statement and added that such clashes do nothing except add to the woes of the people while the enemy, that is the Indian Govt gains.

All the differences and the splits and rivalry have subsequently been ironed out, said KYKL and added that the differences could have been solved without resorting to the clashes that did nothing except led to internecine bloodshed and fratricidal killings.

History is proof that no faction can be wiped out by the stronger rival.

If at all any group vanishes, it is because of their own inherent weaknesses to carry on the struggle.

This is a lesson that should be learnt by all, said KYKL.

It would be in the interest of all to take a leaf out from the PLO which never resorted to killing and annihilating each other, though there have been numerous cases of splits within the organisation.

The strategy of the LTTE that the stronger can wipe out the weaker group is not applicable in Manipur, it added.

The armed movements have gained in strength and today the underground outfits are better equipped and have more man power.

However what is lacking is political wisdom, said the statement and added that this is one area where all concerned should concentrate upon.

At this critical juncture no amount of reasoning will serve any internecine killings or fratricidal clashes, said KYKL and added that efforts should be made to patch up the differences between the two feuding groups of PREPAK.

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