The proscribed umbrella organisation Coordination Committee (CorCom) on Friday stated that the people of Manipur need not take part in the celebration of 73rd Republic Day of India organised by the Government of India “which allows the murder of innocent people of ‘Western South East Asia (WESEA)’ by labelling them as terrorists,” and the day is boycotted as usual.
An 18-hour total shutdown with effect from 12 am of January 25 till 6 pm of January 26 has been imposed in the state by CorCom, stated a release issued by its media coordinator M Sak-hen. It appealed to all to stop all festivities during the shutdown, remain indoors and boycott the “forced” celebration.
Manipur was forcefully colonised and merged to India, and the ‘Republic Day’ organised by the colonial master, the Government of India is rather a ‘Colonial Day’ which is a way of showing how it possesses the strength to oppress the people, CorCom stated.
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“Let us show our strength in defying colonial rule which has enslaved and challenged our lives and community,” it urged. The total shutdown will exempt religious matters, medical necessities and emergencies, it added.
The massacre of 13 civilians at Oting in Nagaland by the Indian armed forces was done with the agenda to oppress the people of ‘WESEA’ by imposing fear, it alleged. Even if AFSPA was removed, such massacres would continue to take place as long as the sinister agenda of the Government of India continues to exist, it further stated.
Election has been carried out in the name of democracy so that the duties of running the government can be passed over. India is such a country which does not pay heed to its people unless they take to the streets to raise their demands, it stated.
Instead of “for, of, by the people”, it follows “far, off and buy the people” as it is far away from the people and remains disconnected and buys the people with money, CorCom continued.
In Manipur, the general public has been adversely affected by the poll related violence added with open distribution of alcohol, drugs to buy the voters and the flexing of power among the intending candidates, it added. “These activities can never be stopped as long as we continue to exist under India. They are carried out with the agenda to obliterate the smaller communities as a part of India’s colonial policies. Such policies can only be confronted by an armed revolution,” Corcom added.
