Imphal, Feb. 25: The Revolutionary People?s Front (RPF), a banned organisation of Manipur, has rejected the Centre?s offer to rebel groups in the Northeast to hold talks to bring lasting peace in the region. The RPF declared that the offer of peace parleys was nothing but a ploy to crush the region?s struggle.
The RPF, the political wing of the People?s Liberation Army, said in an editorial in the latest issue of its mouthpiece Monthly Collection that Delhi?s offer for talks was meaningless as it has imposed the precondition that there would be no compromise on India?s territorial integrity.
RPF president I. Chaorel, in his message to the people on the occasion of the outfit?s 25th foundation day today, said Manipur was never a part of India. The outfit?s struggle was aimed at liberating Manipur from ?Indian colonial rule,? he claimed.
Stating that Manipur?s ?independence? had nothing to do with the territorial integrity of India ? as Manipur was once a sovereign state ? he called on all rebel groups to come together to take on Indian forces to achieve their goal. He added that the outfit was trying to establish more camps on Manipur?s soil to make its battle against Indian troops more effective and successful.
Ruling out a Bhutan-like operation in the neighbouring countries, Chaorel said as India was harbouring rebel groups of both Bangladesh and Myanmar, they would never respond positively to Delhi?s appeals.
On the question of Manipur?s territorial integrity, the militant chief said Manipur belonged to all communities living there. The RPF chief said attempts by sectarian groups to break up Manipur would not bear fruit.