Imphal, November 24: Reiterating its basic line, UNLF said that that unless and until Indian rule is overthrown and independent political power is in the hands of the people, economic development is not at all possible under present circumstances.

�Therefore, India�s �Look East� policy should be taken as a serious challenge to our survival as a Nation.

Under the circumstances, we need to make all the necessary preparations to chart out our own �Look East� policy in order to protect and safeguard our National identity and National interests as we join the process of globalization, which is an inescapable reality,� observed the outfit.

Recalling the relevance of the prediction of the Puya which said that �Eastern Gateway will open� UNLF said that unless the people are prepared, it will become increasingly �difficult for us to survive as a Nation with the onslaught of India�s �Look East� over and above the already precarious economic reality of being kept dependent on Indian grants for State Government employees.� However, the UNLF opined that there are possibilities to create the foundations of �our economy� even under Indian rule.

In this regard the UNLF emphasised the urgent necessity of launching an economic movement on the basis of an economic policy formulated on line stated above.

The UNLF would do everything in its capability to make it happen, assured the statement.

Talking on the internal contradiction, the statement said �other challenges apart, the most serious challenge that is confronting Manipur now is the effect of the �peace process� between GOI and NSCN (M) on Manipur.

In this regard, the question that has been disturbing the minds of our people is whether the overall integrity of Manipur would be compromised in India�s effort to buy out NSCN (IM) for a permanent peace deal.

So far, India has not taken a decision on this line.

May be the June 18 Great Uprising is still haunts their mind.

At the same time there is no credible assurance that India will not do it.

Now, reading from latest developments, another possible scenario needs to be discussed as well.

That is, the likely misadventure of a desperate NSCN (IM) to flare-up ethnic bloodshed between Nagas and Meeteis when GOI ultimately rejects the demand of NSCN (IM) that �Naga inhabited areas be included in Nagalim��.

Noting that the NSCN (IM) leaderships are not averse to instigating ethnic bloodshed, UNLF recalled the tragic Naga-Kuki bloodbath in 1993.The UNLF would like to reason with all concerned not to indulge in such short-sighted politics which will only result in sinking together, said the statement.

�The UNLF knows well that this is the politics of some self-centred people, not the aspirations of the common Nagas.

We would sincerely appeal to the Naga leaders, particularly Naga leaders of Manipur, to seriously look at matters in the larger interest of all concerned.

Because it is high time to realize that such politics plays directly into the game of India to divide and destroy us.

The historical reality of the Region provides no, other way than peaceful co-existence among all its ethnic peoples,� further said the statement.

On the steps to be taken up, the outfit said that whatever the circumstances, the people of Manipur should remain prepared to face any eventuality.

In case the first scenario comes to pass, that is the integrity of Manipur is sacrificed as a result of a compromise between GOI and NSCN (IM), everything including the campaign for Plebiscite would become irrelevant.

The only option available then will be to declare the independence of Manipur and embark on �Utoop Laan� of the entire people, the general offensive, to overthrow Indian rule.

Under the circumstances, the �MLAs� and �Ministers� working within the Indian system will be compelled to take a stand according to which they will be judged if they are the enemy of Manipur or not.

In the second scenario, if the NSCN (IM) out of desperateness, resorts to ethnic violence against the Meeteis following the eventual rejection by GOI of their demand to integrate Naga areas to �Nagalim�, the response of the Meeteis along with other ethnic peoples should be to prevent, at all costs, any such ethnic violence.

�We feel reassured that the political maturity of the Meeteis displayed during the 18 June Great Uprising and the 52-day �economic blockade� will once again defeat such ethnic-exclusive adventures.

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