Imphal, February 11, 2010: The proscribed Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) has advised the Senior Citizens for Society not to make unrehearsed comments/initiatives on such crucial issues like national sovereignty and political freedom of the people of Manipur.

Pointing out that these issues are central to the question of Manipur's survival and destiny of future generations, the outfit asserted that the hasty move of the Senior Citizens for Society exposed their notion that the common mass are ignorant and the general public can be swayed in the direction chosen by the society.

A statement issued by the outfit's department of publicity chief GM Changjou noted that maturity of a person is not determined by his/her age but the thinking capacity and reasoning power of the individual.

The hasty move of the Senior Citizens for Society without ascertaining public sentiment or seeking public consensus is akin to an ignorant child playing with fire.

Recalling that one former Governor engineered to set up Parents' Association by mobilising some parents of UG cadres, the RPF reminded that the parents realised their folly and retracted in time defeating the design of the Government of India.

Quoting president of the Senior Citizens' for Society N Binoy who reportedly said "to safeguard integrity of India and maintain unity and solidarity", the outfit pointed out that Manipur was a sovereign nation since ages.

After the brief period of British occupation, sovereignty of Manipur was handed over to Manipur.

Even before India could adopt its constitution and declare itself a republic, Manipur had established Manipur State Assembly with members elected though adult franchise under the Manipur State Constitution Act 1947. Manipur was never a part of British India.

That was why, Manipur was forcibly annexed on October 15, 1949.As such, Manipur should never be reflected in the picture of India's integrity.

"What can one expect from New Delhi if one studies the condition of our people under the alien rule during the last 60 years ?, the outfit asked.

The RPF is not against peace talk per se.

But peace talks require a conducive political situation.

The outfit may enter into peace talk only after the Government of India gives a definite assurance to restore sovereignty of Manipur together with compatible action of withdrawing all its State machinery and armed forces from the soil of Manipur.

Rejecting Khaidem Mani's assertion that "root causes of all problems of Manipur is insurgency" as incorrect, the outfit contended that root causes of all issues of Manipur was the alleged forceful annexation of Manipur to India.

The political contradiction between the people of Manipur and the Government of India has its roots in the alleged forceful annexation.

Absence of a 'real responsible Government' for the people is the basic factor for the many ills and problems besetting Manipur such as daily violence/killing, human rights violation, economic dependence, large-scale availability of intoxicants/drugs, shrinking employment avenues, rise in the number of impoverished people, influx of innumerable refugees from outside, corruption of social norms, decadence of culture and tradition, disturbance to academic atmosphere, lack of progress etc, the outfit asserted.

The existing State Government is a proxy of the Government of India, set up with force.

The State Government ceases to exist on the day it is disapproved by New Delhi.

The State Government is formed by the so-called representatives elected through elections held in most undemocratic manner amidst heavy security cover.

Observing that distribution of cash and intoxicants has become a custom during election time, the RPF decried that the Indian election system has seriously degraded social morality.

Representatives elected through such dubious elections under Indian constitution are not genuine representatives of the people.

The Government formed by these representatives are not responsible Governments of the underprivileged people of Manipur, it alleged.

Only when complete national sovereignty is achieved, peace and normalcy can be a reality in Manipur.

For this, the Government of India ought to pull back the 'political misadventure' it committed upon the people of Manipur.

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