Armed campaign, only practical means: RPF
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 24 2011: The proscribed Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) has categorically stated that armed campaign is the only practical means to regain the lost sovereignty of Manipur.

On the occasion of the outfit's foundation day which falls on February 25 and is generally observed as the Independence Demand Day, RPF president Irengbam Chaoren conveyed deepest regards to all the people of Manipur while saluting all those who have laid down their invaluable lives in the course of the revolutionary movement.

"RPF firmly believes that the colonial rule of India can be overthrown only through armed struggle", Chaoren asserted in a press statement.

Clarifying that the RPF did not arrive at this resolution because they were warmongers or they could not find another means, Chaoren noted that the strength of the alien rule lies in its multitude of armed forces equipped with the most sophisticated weapons.

To defeat the Indian armed forces is the fundamental task of the revolutionary movement.

Then, it is only logical to take up arms in order to engage the Indian armed forces successfully.

"In fact, the armed movement is the only plausible way to regain the sovereignty of Manipur", Chaoren stated.

Candles being lit up before a symbolic star on the occasion of RPF's 32nd anniversary of Independence Demand Day

Revolutionary groups which have full faith in the armed campaign will ultimately take the movement to its intended stage and carry forward the same campaign to the highest level one day or another.

At that point of time, India would not have the resources or wits to keep the revolutionary movement away from international glare.

Under such circumstances, India would be compelled to seek ways and means to resolve the conflict in front of the international community.

That would be the first and final encounter for resolving the Indo-Manipur conflict, the RPF president asserted.

However, the recent initiative of the Government of India for dialogue and oft-repeated preaching for peace is only a part of their deceptive strategy aimed at suppressing the revolutionary movement.

Their invitation to the revolutionary groups for dialogue is not about sovereignty of the nation (Manipur).

Rather, it is for consolidating integrity of India at the cost of Manipur's sovereignty.

"Putting faith in such invitation or going forward for dialogue as a new policy of the liberation movement would tantamount to sealing off our own routes" .

"We, all are witness to many revolutionary groups of the region which have been trapped by India's dialogue process.

Shrewd and well versed in such matters they may be but many of the revolutionary groups have been caught in damp squib with no ways to turn back from the illusionary dialogue process" the outfit observed.

Citing all these reasons, RPF appealed to all revolutionary groups who are on the path to initiating dialogue with India to retract their steps and re�focus on strengthening the revolutionary movement and fight the Indian regime collectively.

Highlighting the significance of observing February 25 as Independence Demand Day, the RPF asserted that observing the day in a massive scale together with the people would go a long way in exposing the harsh reality of the alleged colonial exploitation being endured by the people and the wretched life they have been leading.

This would also successfully narrate the very character and goal of the ongoing armed movement.

"The Day is a very important day for the party because it is an occasion to re-evaluate the past activities of the party and rectify our own mistakes so as to consolidate and carry forward the revolutionary movement" .

"It is also an opportunity for the party to re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of the people", the outfit conveyed.

Commenting on the changes happening in Manipur and across the world in the last few years, the RPF chief confided that the last few years was a very perilous period for revolutionary organisations of Manipur and the entire region.

During this period, many revolutionary leaders and dedicated members were either arrested or killed.

Some other revolutionary cadres surrendered to the enemy.

In addition, activities of pseudo revolutionaries caused serious impacts on the revolutionary movement, and they were used by the enemy against the revolutionary movement, thereby seriously disturbing the relationship between the people and revolutionary organisations.

All these factors proved severe impediments to the revolutionary movement.

Yet, despite all these impediments, the revolutionary movement has taken firm roots as a result of the sheer determination and relentless struggle of the revolutionary groups of Manipur, claimed the outfit.