Former members of the proscribed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) have formed a new armed outfit: the Socialist Revolutionary Party (SOREPA).
Toijam Ibochou, former vice president of KYKL and current convenor of the Interim Central Committee, SOREPA, said that the new outfit was established to “regain the independence of Kangleipak/Manipur in Western South East Asia (WESEA),” along with like-minded revolutionary outfits affirming its belief in “scientific socialism” as the way forward.
“We believe that a revolution cannot go forward without a proper revolutionary doctrine. Our revolution is based on Kanglei/Manipuri Nationalism. But in order to regain independence, the love of the motherland is not enough. A revolutionary movement should be done under the right system. So, in order to establish a revolutionary movement that is suitable to the land, a new revolutionary party called Socialist Revolutionary Party (SOREPA), Kangleipak has been formed by former members of KYKL,” said a press note issued by Toijam Ibochou.
He stated that most people have forgotten that the revolutionary movement should go forward based on “Marxism-Leninism-Maoism,” preserving the identity of the Kanglei/Manipuri people. “Money and muscle may suppress the true revolutionary movement for a while, but not in the long run. Many are deserting the revolutionary movement,” said SOREPA.
SOREPA said it would like to maintain the respect given to other revolutionary outfits. “We would not disrespect KYKL, from whom we departed due to differences in ideologies. We would like to thank KYKL for teaching us the importance and experience of a revolutionary movement,” said the new outfit.
Stating that involvement in electoral politics, striving for profits, and practice of nepotism would not be beneficial to the revolutionary movement, SOREPA said that their motto is “Socialism with Kanglei (Manipuri) federal characteristic.”
Maintaining that Manipur is a melting pot and cradle of different independent cultures, SOREPA said that as “the respect for its independence was not respected, India sowed the seed of colonialism.”
SOREPA also contended that the imposition of Indian electoral politics created a “National contradiction” with Manipur. It delved into the effect of liberal politics while maintaining that it has created chaos in society. It compared the handling of Covid-19 by the western countries and China and the difference in the impact of their economic advancement.
The release also delved into the alleged nexus between revolutionary outfits or individuals who “act like revolutionaries” and electoral politics, accusing some of the sponsored candidates and turning the legislative assembly into a profit-making institute.
SOREPA further contended that both the Nehruvian approach and Hindutva are two sides of the same coin forwarding “Indian imperialism.” It also stressed on the need for “reformism.”