TODAY -

What had happened to Manipur ?
- Part 12 -

Puyam Nongdrei *

Flag of Manipur flying high on Observance of  285 years of Puya Mei Thaba  at Hanjing Meekollok, Heingang
Flag of Manipur flying high on Observance of 285 years of Puya Mei Thaba at Hanjing Meekollok, Heingang :: Pix - Deepak Oinam



The first option has no problem if India agreed to it. The second and the third have problems. For the legal validity and applicability of the Instrument of Accession, the rules for administration of Manipur, 1947 must be revoked so that the Ruler of the State exercised full authority in and over Manipur State. The third option also requires revocation of the order so that the Ruler of Manipur had full authority to execute the July Agreements and Instrument of Accession.

Section 19 (5) of the Indian Independence Act provided the power to vary or revoke any order made previously in exercise of the power conferred by the Act. But this power was not to vary or revoke the order made to approve the rules for administration of Manipur, 1947. It could be exercised to make changes to the order made in connection with the signing of the July Agreements as the power to do so was conferred to the Assam Governor by section 19 (5) the Indian Independence Act.

The order made by Assam Governor in regards to the rules for administration was under the Rules for Management of Manipur, 1935. The second order made by Assam Governor to enter into agreement was under the Indian Independence Act, 1947. Any order to be made by the Governor on or before 15th August 1947 in relation to Manipur by exercising his power of individual judgment was under the Indian Independence Act.

How to undo the enforcement of the rules for adminsitration of Manipur, 1947? This constitutional status was to be changed for making the Instrument of Accession legally valid and applicable in Manipur. No order could be made by Governor after 15th August 1947 under section 9 (5) of the Indian Independence Act. The Instrument and Standstill Agreement were sent to Delhi on 13 August 1947 from Imphal.

What if the Governor was to exercise the section 9 (3) of the Indian Independence Act? The retrospective effect of the order made by the Governor as from 3rd June 1947 could be another means to revoke the new constitutional status of Manipur. This will abrogate the July Agreements too. However, section 9 (3) has a proviso which states that
"Provided that no person shall be deemed to be guilty of an offence by reason of so much of any such order as makes any provision thereof retrospective to any date before the making thereof."

The retrospective effect as from 3rd June 1947 will stop the operation of the 'Rules for Administration of Manipur, 1947'. Could it be done? The Governor signed two agreement in July 1947 under the new rules for administration of Manipur. The Assam Governor gave the approval order to the rules before it came into force on 1st July 1947. Doing so could make Akbar Hydari the guilty person. Section 9 (3) of the Independence Act of 1947 was useless to go beyond 1st July 1947.

The Instrument of Accession was supposed to be signed between Manipur King and the Governor-General. The July Agreements were signed between Assam Governor and His Highness in Council of Manipur. Accession of Manipur was possible legally only when the Constitutional Monarchy established since 1st July 1947 could be revoked. The proviso of the section 9 (3) was not put simply for the sake of writing. Was it to grant a special status to Manipur or to generate controversy? Whichever way one follows, Manipur had a different status unlike any other Indian States after 15th August 1947.

1st July 1947 is the centre stage of the Manipur-India politcal conundrum. If the approval order for the Rules for Administration of Manipur, 1947 could not be revoked to undo the constitutional change in Manipur, nothing could be done to accede Manipur legally. Only the use of force and disinformation to keep the people of Manipur in darkness would help India to integrate Manipur.

Finally, only the July Agreements could be applicable to Manipur as the Instrument of Accession had no legal validity. The secret file of the Home Ministry of India could be hiding this truth. As the accession was never signified by the Governor-General Lord Mountbatten, Manipur had her constitution and the external affairs intact during the period from 15th August 1947 to 15 October 1949. This was something that New Delhi could not tolerate.

Many in Manipur know that the Instrument of Accession and Standstill Agreement were signed by King Bodhchandra to accede the State to Indian Dominion. But they don't want to question the legal-constitutional basis of Manipur which put the State far beyond the Dominion's clutches. The Instrument of Accession was legally validated by the Indian Independence Act for other Indian States but Manipur could not be acceded because of her distinct legal-constitutional status since 1st July 1947.

Before the signing of the Merger Agreement, the July Agreements were binding agreements or treaties between Manipur and India. The forced merger put an end to everything. The status of Manipur before the extraction of the Merger Agreement under duress by detaining the king in Shillong and the non-ratification of the agreement by the State Assembly operating in 1949 put the Indian Union in a bad shape.

The orders issued by the Indian authorities to effect the take over of Manipur on 15 October 1949 acknowledged the existence of the State Assembly and Council and the legal-constitutional status of Manipur under which the supreme power or authority was exercised by His Highness in Council. The Indian Government authorities cannot erase these facts and Manipur will continue to use these political scores to claim a respectable status until there is a mutually agreed political settlement.

Anything done after 15th August to integrate Manipur without the consent of the elected government of the State or the people of Manipur was tantamount to Indian aggression and annexation. There is nothing that the Government of India can say about it in front of a competent authority. Secret file, disinformation, militarisation and imposition of AFSPA can not hide the truth from the people of Manipur.

The British colonial experiences have taught the Indian authorities many useful lessons to administer the sensitive areas lying between India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and China. The great ethnic political aspirations ranging from ethnic homelands of autonomus districts to ethnically exclusive states are being proposed and are growing in this region like wild flowers on a fertile meadow. Many are still swearing to fight against India, Myanmar and Bangladesh to establish their ethnic dreamlands. International politics is very complicated and there is little room for accomodating all the ethnic/national aspirations. Even the Indian Constitution can accommodate only some of these.

During this time Manipur has been experiencing the trials and tribulations since 1949. We are now living in the late 2014. The lost of Manipur's status as a separate geopolitical entity lying between South Asia and Southeast Asia in 1949 has everything to do with New Delhi's game plan.

Mayang population, the armed conflict, Nagalim demand and political aspirations of the Kuki-Chin-Zomi ethnic groups are pulling and pushing Manipur in different directions. New Delhi will continue to hold the 'ethnic plurality card' to control the higher aspirations of the people of Manipur. Whether the ethnic aspirations or atleast some of them will be fulfilled or not is uncertain yet.

A progressive Manipur will come into existence when New Delhi acts sincerely and the people of Manipur learn to exercise their legitimate rights without fear. A viable political solution to Manipur-India conflict will sort out many of the ethnic problems. A strong and prosperous Manipur having a cordial relationship with India will be mutually beneficial. The geopolitcal entity of Manipur having a recorded history of not less than 2000 years has to earn respect from other peoples and nations in the world. One can not beg for respect. It has to be earned by our sheer efforts and sacrifices.

Why the July Agreements? Why the secret file of the Home Ministry? Sending of Major General Rawal Amar Singh as Dewan in April 1949 was an important step. "Is there not a brigadier in Shillong?" was a good question. Detaining the King's party in Shillong without communication with outside world was another great service.

The dissolution of the elected State Assembly and Council in 1949 was for peace and mutual benefit. The disrespect of the Manipur State Constitution (the supreme law of Manipur) and the expectation of full loyalty to the Indian Constitution are great lessons worth learning. Sardar Patel was talking about measures to control the people of northeast India by deploying armed forces and intelligence agents because of pro-mongoloid prejudices and having no established loyalty to India.

Love for motherland, loyalty to a nation, and most importantly the recorded history spanning for thousand of years are something that cannot be changed or achieved overnight. Any expectation like this would turn national pride and patriotism of a people/nation into pizzas or momos. It will be very inhumane and irrational to think so. The treatment meted out to Manipur in the last over six decades can not be justified on any ground.

One can also ask some questions. What about our loyalty to the Manipur national flag hoisted on 15th August 1947? What about the Manipur Constitution Act of 1947? What the former Union Home Secretary G.K.Pillai knows about Manipur is known to many Indian leaders. They pretend to be ignorant of Manipur's past and their political misadventures. Manipur deserves to be recognised as the State which could not be acceded in 1947 and that had a written constitution before India has one.

The 1st Battalion Assam Regiment led by Lt-Colonel Ram Singh and 4th Assam Rifles led by Yusuf Ali in Manipur did yeoman's jobs to face any eventuality in Manipur. Dewan Rawal Amar Singh's statement to the press about the intensive patrolling of the eastern border and in the interior areas by the Assam Rifles and regular troops was well-recieved by the law-abiding Manipur residents.

Imposition of AFSPA for decades is the greatest measure the Government of India has ever done for peace and order in Manipur. These are the results of the Merger Agreement executed in the best interests of Manipur and India by detaining the King of Manipur in 1949.

Peace, harmony, non-violence and development are the words one can see/hear in the official statements and speeches made by great leaders. Actions and words are different and they don't see eye to eye. The law-abiding people of Manipur are confused whether to learn the 'actions' or follow the 'words' of the peace-loving country.

As a result, some follow the actions done by India and some others keep on uttering the same 'words' that the Government of India has been using since 1947. This small State has already sacrificed enough blood. New Delhi should stop punishing the victims of the Merger Agreement of 21st September 1949.

Use of military means and threat of use of force should be stopped at once for a political solution to the Indo-Manipur conflict. New Delhi should tackle this deep-rooted political problem with sincerity. There is nothing that New Delhi can gain by flexing military muscles in this tiny State. The yearning for a better future by a small nation/people having a recorded civilisation of about 2000 years should not be seen just as a melodrama. Manipur has nothing more or nothing less to ask from New Delhi.

See a List of Reference Materials for this article



Concluded ...


* Puyam Nongdrei wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at khuman_mei(at)yahoo(dot)com
This article was posted on January 07, 2015.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025