UNLF Chief Meghen Returns to Manipur after 44 Years

Imphal, November 28, 2019:

Rajkumar Meghen, the chairperson of the Manipur-based separatist group United National Liberation Front (UNLF), has returned to his homestate after 44 long years. Meghen, who was released from prison on November 9, arrived at the Imphal airport from Delhi, earlier today.

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Speaking to mediapersons after his arrival, Meghen asserted that he is "happy" to be back in his home state after 44 years away. He also said that he was "treated very well" in Delhi. Many well-wishers of the insurgent leader welcomed him with garlands and other tokens of respect.

A source told Inside Northeast that Meghen will likely to retire from his revolutionary activities and settle down to a civilian life after his homecoming. “At one time, Meghen was regarded as one of the top leaders when the movement started; but now, the conversation has shifted towards other issues like the Citizenship Bill, Naga political issue, etc.”

Meghan was in detention for the last ten years for “waging war against the state” and was kept very "low profile" to avoid media attention.

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He was arrested by Bangladeshi authorities in 2010 and was subsequently handed over to Indian authorities. Meghan however, never applied for any bail unlike other militant leaders of the region.

Reportedly, Meghan was convicted in 2016 and was awarded 10-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 70,000. Though his imprisonment would have ended in 2020, he was released beforehand on Saturday after the remittance of the rest of his term following his “good behaviour” during his imprisonment.

Formed in 1964, UNLF is one of the oldest insurgent outfits in northeast India, which had been fighting for a sovereign Manipur. Unlike other insurgent outfits in India, UNLF is still firm on their demand for holding a plebiscite in Manipur.

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