CPI Manipur celebrates 74th foundation day
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 23 2022: CPI Manipur State Council celebrated its 74th foundation day on Tuesday by organising programmes in four different places of the state and deliberating on sacrifices and development works of the party in the state.

Speaking at a function organised by CPI Imphal City and Imphal West District councils at Kh Nupimacha community hall, Yumnam Huidrom, CPI MSC Control Commission chairman Langol Iboyaima recounted that CPI MSC was formed in August 23, 1948 under the leadership of Hijam Irawat to launch class struggle and establish an egalitarian society.

At that time various undemocratic methods were used to merger of Manipur into the Indian Union.

The then Union home minister Sardar Patel attempted to merge Manipur with Purvanchal Pradesh, which was opposed by Hijam Irawat and the Communist Party.

In the course of confrontations, the Pundongbam incident of September 25, 1948 happened, he recalled.

Iboyaima continued that it was due to party's and farmers' effort that the agriculture policy of that time was amended and the government action against farmers revoked while Hijam Irawat and his colleagues had to go underground to sustain the movement.

Even before one month of formation of the party, it was banned by the then government led by MK Priyobarta and violent actions were taken against Hijam Irawat and the party by state forces.

Amid the armed struggle, Manipur was merged with India on October 1, 1949 .

At the CPI conference held at Calcutta (Kolkata), West Bengal on October, 1951 the party decided to give up armed struggle and choose democracy, he added.

Iboyaima further noted that CPI MSC joined democratic struggles of the people of the state including statehood agitation, removal of Assam Rifles from Kangla, protest against enforcement of AFSPA in state, etc., in addition to the party spearheading protests for welfare of farmers, labourers, women, students, youth and government workers along with joining agitation for reimplementation of ILP, territorial integrity, corruption and curbing the menace of narcotics and drugs.

The programme was marked by hoisting of party's flag and paying of floral tributes to its late leaders and workers.

CPI MSC secretary L Thoirel, assistant secretary M Joykumar and others were also present at the event.

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