Meghen debunks Pillai's 'talk mode' utterance
Source: The Sangai Express

Guwahati, March 07 2011: Apart from unprecedented stringent security measures, no Manipuris were allowed to enter the Court complex and CrPC 144 was enforced when arrested UNLF chairman Sanayaima alias RK Meghen was produced before the Special Court of NIA at Guwahati today.

Reacting to the remark of Union Home Secretary GK Pillai, that the UNLF is in a 'talk mode,' the rebel leader, who is currently in the custody of NIA, has reiterated that there is no question of any talks with India saying talks with a captured person is ridiculous.

To prevent another show of solidarity with the arrested rebel leader by people which was witnessed in earlier occasions inside the Court complex, NIA took the help of Assam Police and imposed stringent security measures inside the court complex today.

Apart from utilising the service of women personnel of 88 Bn CRPF, Varun and Braja were stationed at the gate of the Court complex to control any possible mob fury.

As part of these stringent security measures, the police were also alerted to prevent any Manipuri from entering the court complex.

RK Meghen being escorted to the NIA Court under tight security

A large number of Manipuris settled in different parts of Assam who had come to show their solidarity with the arrested rebel leader were dispersed by the police from the gate of the Court complex.

At earlier occasions, the rebel leader was normally brought from the Guwahati Central Jail to the court complex through Nehru Park Road, where people used to wait for him.

But today, he was brought through a different route.

Those who were waiting for the rebel leader today as usual in front of Nehru Park were seen holding banners inscribed with slogans like 'UNLF not waging war against India: UNLF defending right of Manipur people', 'Stop India's war against people of Manipur', 'We want plebiscite : Let the people of Manipur decide their own future', 'NIA should transfer Sanayaima and other cases to the Government of Manipur'.

But they did not get the chance of meeting the rebel leader.

So, they shouted slogans.

To prevent the mob from storming inside the court complex, police also arrested the agitated people and taken them to the Pan Bazar Police Station till the court proceeding was over.

Talking to mediapersons inside the court complex, arrested UNLF chairman reacted strongly to the remarks of Union Home Secretary GK Pillai who is quoted to have said in media that UG groups have shown interested in talks after many leaders including Meghen have been arrested.

In this regard, Meghen retorted, ''We have never said we are interested in talks, nor they have made any offer' and the stand of UNLF is right to self determination of the people of Manipur who firmly believe in the proposal of plebiscite announced by UNLF in 2005.The growing demand of the people for holding plebiscite to resolve the Manipur-India conflict is appreciable.

So, there is no question of any talks with India from the side of UNLF.

In connection with the charges levelled against UNLF by NIA, the arrested rebel leader asserted that no meeting had been held at China to procure weapons.

The strength of UNLF is the people and the support given by them.

UNLF believes in the collective support of both the hills and the valley people.

He reiterated that UNLF is not waging war for separating Manipur from India.

But for the right to self determination of the people.

UNLF does not consider Manipur as a part of India.

To the extortion and threats perpetrated on the people from some quarters, the arrested rebel leader said that the public should understand forces which are trying to malign the image of the revolutionary groups fighting for the cause of the people.

Moirangthem Landhoni Devi, w/o Kh Jiten alias Khomba, who too is being tried in NIA court after she was arrested by Guwahati police on August 18, 2010 while coming to meet her husband, announced to the mediapersons that he would begin a fast unto death stir and the Govt of Manipur, the Central Govt and NIA should be held responsibility for any eventuality.

Landhoni asserted that she has no connection with UNLF in any manner.

She just came to meet her husband.

But she was arrested along with him on the same day.

So, her detention and false charges levelled against her by NIA amounts to deprivation of the fundamental rights guaranteed to an Indian citizen.

Following her detention, Landhoni said, she has not been able to look after her two children, one 3 years old and another 6 years old.

She also charged that the Govt of Manipur has been keeping quiet over the arrest and detention of a person by NIA who has already been granted bail for 6 months in Manipur.

Along with Meghen, five other people were also produced in the NIA court today during which NIA authority handed over their respective chargesheets.

Advocate Asim Taluqdar has informed that all six of them have to be produced before the court on March 21 again.

In the trial today, bail applications for S Rakesh and M Landhoni submitted to the court.

But a decision on the bail applications has been reserved by the court till March 11 .

Meanwhile, organisation secretary of UNLF Joy alias Nongyaima has asserted that arrest of some leaders has not disheartened UNLF at all.

The impact would not last long, UNLF is not a one-man leadership organisation but an organisation with collective leadership.

So, the notion that India would be able to lead UNLF to any direction is wrong.

Joy also reiterated that UNLF believes in the principle of plebiscite for resolving the Manipur-India conflict and this stand would remains.