SOREPA said that the new outfit was established in order to “regain the independence of Kangleipak/Manipur in Western South East Asia (WESEA)”, along with like-minded revolutionary outfits affirming its belief in “scientific socialism” as the way forward.
TFM Report
Former key members of the proscribed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) have come together to form a new armed group called Socialist Revolutionary Party (SOREPA).
Toijam Ibochou, former vice president of KYKL and current convenor of the Interim Central Committee, SOREPA said that the new outfit was established in order to “regain the independence of Kangleipak/Manipur in Western South East Asia (WESEA)”, along with like-minded revolutionary outfits affirming its belief in “scientific socialism” as the way forward.
Succinctly delineating a new line of armed struggle, SOREPA said, “We believe that a revolution cannot go forward without a proper revolutionary doctrine. Our revolution is based on Kanglei/Manipuri Nationalism. But in order to regain independence, the love of the motherland is not enough. A revolutionary movement should be done under a right system. So, in order to establish a revolutionary movement that is suitable to the land, a new revolutionary party called Socialist Revolutionary Party (SOREPA), Kangleipak has been formed by former members of KYKL”.
The new outfit stated that most people have forgotten that the revolutionary movement should go forward based on “Marxism-Leninism-Maoism”, preserving the identity of the Kanglei/Manipuri people. “Money and muscle may suppress the truly revolutionary movement for a while, but not in the long run. Many are deserting the revolutionary movement”, said Toijam Ibochou.
Distancing itself from the known practice of inter or intra factional feud, SOREPA said it would like to maintain the “respect given to other revolutionary outfits”. “We would not disrespect KYKL, from whom we departed due to differences in ideologies. We would like to thank KYKL for teaching us the importance and experience of a revolutionary movement,” said the new outfit.
Unequivocally criticizing the involvement of leaders in electoral politics, SOREPA said that these leaders were in fact “striving for profits and practice of nepotism would not be beneficial to the revolutionary movement”. It accused some of the sponsored candidates and how they have allegedly turned the legislative assembly into “a profit-making institute”.
SOREPA added that its motto is “Socialism with Kanglei (Manipuri) federal characteristics”. Pointing out that Manipur is a melting pot and cradle of different indigenous communities and independent cultures, SOREPA argued that “the respect for its independence was not respected” and “India sowed the seed of colonialism”.
SOREPA contended that the imposition of the Indian electoral system and politics have created a “national contradiction” in Manipur. The new outfit also delved into the adverse impact of liberal politics and made it accountable for the chaos and instability in society.
On the current Covid-19 pandemic, the outfit compared the way how it was being battled by the western countries and China. SOREPA also highlighted the impact of the economic advancement in China and the rest of the world.
SOERPA also came down heavily on the alleged nexus between revolutionary outfits and individuals who “acted like revolutionaries”. It further contended that both the Nehruvian approach and Hindutva are two sides of the same coin and alleged that policies based on these two thoughts served the interest of the “Indian imperialism”.