Imphal, May 29: The Revolutionary Peoples Front (RPF), political arm of the banned Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur, today brushed aside any idea of talks with Delhi, saying peace would return to the state only after withdrawal of “the colonial rule of India”. Immediately after assuming charge, the new Union minister for department of development of northeastern region, P.R. Kyndiah, had appealed to the militant outfits of the region to shun violence and come to the negotiating table.
Assistant publicity secretary of the RPF, Lily Leima, alleged in a statement issued here today that the army was using artillery and heavy machine guns at the civilian areas of Sajik Tampak in Chandel district. Appealing for peace and imposition of “draconian” laws such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) and Pota at the same time as “double standards”, the outfit dismissed the possibility of any talks with Delhi.
“Such an attitude of the Centre can never bring peace,” the statement said, adding that the outfit would never sideline the issue of sovereignty.
“Our goal is freedom from Indian occupational rule. Therefore, the government of India should immediately pull out its troops and end its colonial rule,” the statement said.
Another spokesman for the outfit said four members of an extortionist gang were nabbed by its members.