UPF wants creation of an Autonomous Hill State within Manipur: UPF gen secy LAMKA, July 31: On the heels of the resentment against Indian army excess and the government’s reluctance to hold talk with SoO signatories particularly the United People Front(UPF) and Kuki National Organisation( KNO )of Manipur Hills, this IFP correspondent with some other media correspondents interviewed the general secretary UPF, Thanglianpau Guite on issues ranging from the group’s ideology, relationship with other UG groups, their alternative demand if the present demand fails, on their goal/aspiration to the pragmatism of their demand . The following are excerpt from the interview: Is the UPF satisfied with the attitude of the Indian Government and its arm forces like the Assam Rifles (AR) who crossing all norms had raided the residence of a top UPF leader? T Guite: Both the Government and the concern Organizations including their respective armed forces have collective responsibility to maintain peace and carry forward the peace process to its logical conclusion. If there is any violation of Ground Rules from both parties, it should be addressed at the appropriate forum like, the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG). Any move to sabotage the peace process should be condemned and befitting action taken accordingly. Q: Provided political dialogue is held, what will be the UPF’s reaction if the govt is evasive about its intended Autonomy for the hill people. T Guite: Let’s first see the reaction of the Government. If the need arise, we shall consult the people and decide our stand accordingly. We are hopeful that the Government as well as any sensible person in Manipur will realize the urgent need for durable peace and development in the State. It is also important to realize the fact that 40 or more years of our experiment with District Council and Hill Area Committee in Manipur has miserably failed to deliver desired development at the desired pace. Perhaps, the opportune time has come for all of us to think-out-of-the-box and change our parochial mind-set in the interest of our collective survival. The people of Manipur-both the hills and valley-must equip themselves if they want to survive in the midst of the inevitable changes in near future. Q: Do you think that by signing the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Government of India (GoI), your political demands will be conceded? T Guite: If peaceful process do not lead to any solution, is violence means a better choice? Indeed, tripartite SoO agreement is the means to an end, never the end in itself. We have shunneed violence means and chosen peaceful process to settle the hill people’s long standing political aspiration in Manipur, which we believe, are equally appreciated by the Government. The UPF’s demand is pragmatic and achievable through peaceful dialogue, but much will depend on the sincerity of the Government, particularly the Government of Manipur who is also a party to the tripartite agreement. Q: What is your exact political demand and how far have you been successful? T Guite: The United Peoples’ Front (UPF) demands creation of an Autonomous Hill State within Manipur by extending the provision of Article 244-A of the Indian Constitution. We have arrived at this idea after series of consultation with the public, taking into consideration the volatile conditions of the state and the need for maintaining territorial integrity of present Manipur state. The socio-economic, cultural, historical, developmental and political condition of the then Assam state is similar with the conditions of today’s hill areas of Manipur in all respect. The government as well as the people of Manipur has to understand the viability of our demand. So far we have successfully created awareness about its soundness. Q: Since UPF and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) have signed the SoO agreement together, is your political demand similar? T Guite: The approach of UPF is non-violence, non-communal and issue-based; our demand is inclusive, pragmatic and achievable within the parameters of the SoO agreement. The UPF demand area coincided with the existing 6 (six) District Councils in hill areas of Manipur which covers the entire hill people, irrespective of tribal or non-tribal. Perhaps, the creation of Autonomous Hill State in Manipur is the surest means to protect Manipur’s territorial integrity and develop both the hills and valley in the State in equal footing. The demand of the KNO and Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) for a full-fledged statehood is outside the agreed SoO preamble as it requires re-drawing of Manipur State boundary for a particular community which, we believe, is impractical in a multi-ethnic state like Manipur. There are thousands of Meitei, Bihari, Bengali, Nepali, Tamils, etc living in Moreh, Kanggui (Kangpokpi), Senapati, Ukhrul, Lamka (Churachandpur), etc and drawing a communal boundary would simply invite more troubles than solve our problems. Q: In the light of recent development like students demanding that talk is initiated by Governrment of India (GoI) with the SoO groups, it is clear that political talk was not taking place even after 7 years. Do you think being in SoO is helpful in making your political demands granted by GoI? T Guite: The creation of Autonomous Hill State (AHS) in Manipur is the hill people’s demand. We will negotiate with the Government on the basis of the agenda already identified by the people. It is natural that they are impatient at the very slow progress on the side of the government. Both the Government and the SoO groups have to fulfill their respective responsibilities in order to make the SoO agreement meaningful. It take some years for us to study, conduct public consultation and frame our Charter of Demands; likewise, the Government take time in construction of designated camps, appointment of Interlocutor, etc. We are confident that the Government of India, particularly, the Ministry of Home Affairs is seriously trying to solve Northeast problems, including the problem of Manipur hill areas. Though political dialogue has not been initiated, we are hopeful that it will be started sooner than later. Q: According to you, what is the reason for the GoI’s disinclination to initiate talks with SoO groups so far? T Guite: It may be premature to say that the Government of India is disinclined to initiate talks with SoO groups. We have to be patience till certain formalities are completed. Nevertheless, the very slow progress is disheartening and if such delays persist without an acceptable explanation, it could be interpreted as a sign of the Government’s insincerity. Under such circumstances, we shall react accordingly. Q: In case the GoI continues to refuse in holding talks, what will be your course of action to ensure the talks take place? T Guite: If the delay is intentional, we will decide according to the needs of the situation. They can delay or refuse for sometimes, but they can delay forever. Q: Are you and your guerillas ready to go back to forest and fight for your demands if GoI fail to grant your demands? T Guite: We are neither guerillas nor terrorists. It is circumstances that compelled us to arm ourselves for self-defence. Nevertheless, we have committed our lives for the people and are ever-ready to face any eventualities.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 20:41:25 +0000
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