Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, November 24
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]roscribed United National Liberation Front(UNLF) today observed the 50th anniversary of the outfit at its units. The main observation was held with its central committee chairman Kh Pambei and Vice Chairman A Wangpa as chief guest and functional president at the General Headquarters of its armed winga-Manipur People’s Army(MPA),according to a press statement issued by Director in Charge M Sak-hen of the outfit’s publicity department. The MPA’s chief of the army staff Ng Pamheiba,Finance secretary M Iboyaima,health and family welfare secretary O Chingkheinganbi,MPA’s vice chief of army staff I Tonsana,Directors,party cadres etc also attended the observation. Hoisting of party’s flag, singing of party song, giving floral tribute to the departed leaders, reading out of central committee report and speeches by its leaders were the main highlights of the day’s observation. There are also reports of observing the anniversary at various units of the outfit.The outfit had also greeted the people of the region on the eve of 50th anniversary. With the objective to regain the right to self-determination of the Manipuri people, the outfit was founded 50 years ago on November 24, 1964.
According to a 14-paged annual report of the central committee of the outfit which was made available to media here, the outfit came into existence under the leadership of Kalanlung Kamei as its President, Thongkhopao Singsit as Vice-President, Arambam Somarendra as General Secretary, Nongmaithem Pahari as COAS, Longjam Manimohon as Ogrnanization (Hills), Nk Sanajaoba as Organization (Youths) and Laishram Kanhai as Central Commitee Member.
Manipur was an independent state of the Southeast Asia which has existed for about 3500 years, besides having a glorious history of more than 2000 years. But the state lost its freedom in the aftermath of the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 and later annexed by India in 1949 shortly after attaining independence from the British. The objective of founding the group was none other than regaining the lost freedom of the people of Manipur. It added that outfit is committed to ensure the right to self-determination to the Manipuri people as guaranteed by the United Nations in its numerous charters.
The outfit also endorses the liberation movements in different regions of Western Southeast Asia. The outfit is against oppression and suppression of people in any form under the neo-colonialism. India has been suppressing Manipur in all aspects, it said.There has been no substantial economic development in the State ever since its annexation by India. The rich culture of Manipur is now greatly threatened by the Indian culture through a colonial form of cultural assimilation, it added. The outfit also reiterated that it would continue its struggle until it achieves its goal.
