Black Day : October 15, 1949 'Merger Agreement'; CorCom announces 18 hour general strike
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 10 2012:
Denoun-cing the October 15, 1949 'Merger Agreement' which marked the inclusion of then independent Manipur as an entity of India, the seven group CorCom has declared that an 18 hour general strike would be observed from October 14 midnight throughout Manipur.
A CorCom statement issued today by its Media Coordinator H Poirei stated that October 15 will also be observed as 'National Black Day' and urged all concerned to cease all form of entertainment, sports, commercial or institutional activities during the strike period.
However, personnel involved in emergency services and religious events would be exempted from the purview of the general strike.
Highlighting that Manipur has a recorded history dating back to 33 AD with its own constitution taking shape in 1074-1122 AD, the media coordinator said that fundamental principles for governance remained intact till Manipur lost its independent status following the defeat in the Anglo-Manipuri war in the late 19th century.
With the defeat in the 1891 Anglo-Manipuri war Manipur remained as a British Protectorate for 56 years before regaining independence on august 14, 1947 after the departure of British colonisers.
Consequently a democratic form of Government was set up under Maharaj Bodhchandra with the enactment of Manipur Constitution Act 1947 followed by holding of elections in June-July 1948, election of 53 legislators and Maharaj Bodhchandra presiding over the first assembly session on October 18, the same year, said the statement.
However the Council of Ministers was abolished and Manipur declared a part of India owing to the 'forcible annexation' which India prefers to call 'Merger Agreement' .
the forcible annexation marked the onset of armed rebellion which continues till date and will persist until and unless India acknowledge that Manipur's independence need to be restored, maintained the CorCom statement while urging the people to sustain cooperation and support to the revolutionaries till the goal of sovereignty has been achieved.