Is Manipurs independence PREPAKs main aim?
Yes, we want the liberation of Kangleipak from the clutches of the Indian Union.
Which means you still havent come to terms with the 1949 merger?
There was no merger. India annexed our nation for strategic geopolitical reasons. It was an explicit expression of Indias intention to contin -ue the British legacy.
But do the people want an independent state?
Kangleishas in large numbers are supporting our case. All of them know that ethnically, linguistically and in our ethos, we are different from Indians. One day, well achieve our objective.
How do you hope to do so?
We receive help from our comrades-in-arms, the Naga national movement, the ULFA and more important, we get diplomatic, political and moral support from the Far East Asian countries. We get material support from these countries.
Which are these?
Its not possible for me to name the countries but let me tell you that we have training camps there and we get full support from them in our struggle.
Assuming that you do get freedom, how do you hope to survive as an independent nation?
We have existed as a sovereign nation before, and can do so again. In any case, we are not anti-Indians. We believe that India is a rich nation with poor people. Well co-exist as two nations.
There is talk about the Naga underground negotiating with the government. Will you follow suit?
If India proposes talks, we will do so but on two conditions. One, it must recog-nise our group as the leading party in Kangleipak and second, it must recognise the validity and legality of our sovereignty.
