Manipur Merger pact dissected at Shillong
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 21 2021: Shillong Manipur Students' Union organised an open discussion on 'Manipur Merger Agreement' on the theme 'Merger agreement: Question of nationality and identity of the people of Manipur' at the historic Manipur Rajbari, Red Lands in Shillong, Meghalaya on Tuesday.

AMSU vice president Laishram Athouba, who took part in the open discussion, said that Manipur House at Red Lands is a historic place as it was at this house that king Bodhchandra was kept confined and forced to ink signature on the Manipur Merger Agreement on September 21, 1949.Being a historic place for Manipur, the Red Lands needs to be preserved properly but seeing its present condition is disheartening, he said and stressed the need for constructing a proper building with community hall so that tourists could be accommodated.

People of Manipur gradually depended on others ever since becoming part of India and today's generation feel its impact the most.

In the name of countering insurgency, India imposed AFSPA forcibly and many innocent civilians have lost their lives while scores of other people are suffering, he said, adding that all these are impact of India's forcibly merger of Manipur.

According to Athouba, India is still unconcerned when Manipur lost vast territory and the neighbouring country encroached upon state's territory along the border.

Apart from this, different drugs are being sent into Manipur.

This has compelled the people to raise question if there is a secret agenda to completely uproot indigenous people of Manipur gradually, he added.

The reason behind the anxiousness of people of Manipur towards bringing solution to the peace talk between India and NSCN-IM needs to be taken seriously and it is also questionable if there is any hidden agenda for breaking apart Manipur while bringing a solution with the underground group, he said, alleging that India is trying to suppress people of Manipur in every field by imposing numerous black laws.

The open discussion was also participated by AIMS president S Premchand, KSA secretary general Johnson, DESAM president N Edison and All Assam Manipuri Students' Union secretary K Bikramjit.

Shillong Manipur Students' Union former vice president Ibohal Kshetrimayum and advisor Thokchom Surjit were chief guest and president of the open discussion respectively.

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