The PREPAK (Pro) Chairman lamented that past generations in Manipur believed in the “Ideas of India” (unity in diversity, democracy, welfare) or the “Ideas of Bharat” (cultural/religious), hoping for a “golden land” or an “Autonomous Manipur” within India. Instead, he claimed Manipur was “humiliated by putting down at a district-level status for many years.”
TFM Desk
In a strongly worded statement issued on its 15th “Progressive Day,” the proscribed People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK-Pro) launched a scathing attack on the Government of India, accusing it of systematically erasing Manipur’s identity, enabling the “kidnapping” of its history by refugees, and creating conditions for ethnic cleansing.
The statement issued by PREPAK (Pro) Chairman Longjam Paliba M, painted a picture of Manipur under severe distress and existential threat.
Sacred Sites and “History Kidnapping”
Chairman Paliba M asserted that the occupation of the Thangjing-Koubru Hills by refugees equates to the “kidnapping of our history.” He claimed these hills are “historically sacred places of origination and livelihood for Meiteis.” He specifically targeted “Chin-Kuki late comer refugees,” alleging they “never respect” these sites and “ridiculed these sacred places.” He further accused them of “shamelessly” settling illegally and attempting to propagate the area as a “‘biblical promised land’ as mentioned in the Old Testament,” branding them “kidnappers of our national history.”
Constitutional Bias and “Ethnic Cleansing” Policy
The PREPAK (Pro) Chairman alleged severe constitutional bias against Manipur. “India never shared the constitutional parameters, such as political and economic power, to let Manipur become a golden land,” Paliba M stated, claiming India only praises Manipur’s culture and sports as a “foxy goal” to mobilize “educated youths and prominent artistes” as “organizers and absorbers for Indianization.”
He contended that the Indian constitution allowed refugees to be “embraced into ST with unique protective rights” and settle in “vast tracts of hills and mountain ranges.” This, he claimed, “strategically empowered them to drive out the indigenous communities and successfully practise the ethnic cleansing policy.”
“No-Go Areas” and Armed Refugees
Paliba M questioned how “armed refugees” could demand a separate administration over “ninety percent of land” using sophisticated weapons. He drew parallels to “Quangos” (Quasi Autonomous Non-Governmental Organizations) and “No-Go Areas” in Europe, suggesting the Indian Constitution effectively allows the creation of such zones in Manipur. “Ironically hill areas are reserved exclusively for ST, while the major community Meiteis are squeezed in many ways,” he argued.
He further accused the Government of India of “mobilizing and nurturing the Zo-Kuki groups to become the armed community for countering the insurgents like us,” warning they are becoming the “extended demonic hands of Western countries.” He declared, “No permanent peace can be achieved until and unless such powerful rules which can break-up our land are completely thrown out,” urging public leaders to recognize this “imperilling situation.”
Betrayal of the “Ideas of India” and Eroded Status
The Chairman lamented that past generations in Manipur believed in the “Ideas of India” (unity in diversity, democracy, welfare) or the “Ideas of Bharat” (cultural/religious), hoping for a “golden land” or an “Autonomous Manipur” within India. Instead, he claimed Manipur was “humiliated by putting down at a district-level status for many years.”
Highlighting the current political impasse, Paliba M noted, “the MLAs with majority numbers are not allowed to form a popular government,” and Manipur suffers the “highest number” of President’s Rule impositions. He pointed to restrictions on Meiteis passing through areas like Sekmai, Palel, Sugunu, Yaingangpokpi, and Kumbi, questioning the reality of “Swadhin Manipur” when even the state’s name use is allegedly under threat for Meiteis. He concluded India’s basic idea acts “like a Black Hole that swallows up our prideful Ideas of Manipur.”
Critique of CSO Unity Calls and Call to Action
Paliba M dismissed calls for uniting Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), stating their only fundamental objective is safeguarding territorial integrity by opposing separate administration demands. He argued that those appealing for unity should themselves “courageously move forward” without waiting for CSO unity, suggesting their current approach creates “confusion” and breeds “useful-idiots” helpful to “enemies”.
Amidst Societal Challenges, a Continued Struggle
Acknowledging societal issues like drug addiction and lack of courage, Paliba M pondered how the public views insurgents like PREPAK (Pro). He asserted they are “collectively fighting for safeguarding our territory” and have “reached the stage of ‘icha sing punsallo’” (generational unity) against those trying to “break up our motherland.”
He outlined economic programmes aimed at achieving financial foundation and boosting local products to “rescue gradually from the prevalent distressful society.” He appealed for “respectful” help from the upper middle classes, farmers, workers, and “kindred police personals to support indirectly.”
Chairman Longjam Paliba M concluded with a stark warning: “Lastly, our advice is that as long as you have faith in the political loyalty to India, our motherland will be a sinking ship.”