CIRCA gears up for '73rd independence day'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2019: Coalition for Indigenes Rights Campaign (CIRCA) will observe the '73rd Independence Day of Manipur' at Sana Konung on August 14.Speaking to media persons at Sana Konung today, CIRCA secretary Moi-rangthem Angamba said that CIRCA along with the Royal Council of Sana Konung, has been observing 'Manipur Independence Day' since 2015.Manipur gained independence from the British empire on August 14, 1947 and the Manipur flag adorned by Ibudhou Pakhangba was hoisted with pride.

August 14 is an important day for the Manipuris, he added.

Angamba continued that the event will be observed as a apart of CIRCA's main campaign of ensuring premerger political status for Manipur.

After Manipur gained independence, it had its own administration, Constitution, flags and language as a sovereign Nation.

While India and Manipur were still under the British empire, a Standstill Agreement as well as an Instrument of Accession were signed on August 11, 1947.However, on October 15, 1949, Manipur was merged into India and this resulted in the gradual increase of non-indigenous people in the State, gave birth to militancy as well as rampant human rights violation, he alleged.

If Manipur can regain the pre-merger political status, the situation of the State would have been very different in a positive way, he claimed.

Moirangthem Angamba continued that it is imperative to teach today's generation, particularly the students and the youths that once upon a time, Manipur wished for independence and a return to its old ways, traditions, cultures and administration and the event has been planned to impart this knowledge.

He informed that on August 14, titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba will hoist the Manipuri flag inside Sana Konung in the morning and kick start the event.

He then appealed to all to ensure that the Manipur flag is hoisted at the schools and educational institutions as well as at all localities on the said day.

From August 10 to 20, CIRCA is planning to organise a discussion programme on importance of the 'Independence Day' observation with regard to the current situation of Manipur as well as the role of the students, Angamba said.

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