CIRCA hosts debate on pre-merger status
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 20 2016:
A debating competition on "Restoration of Manipur's pre-merger political status can resolve all the major issues of the State" was held today at Manipur Press club under the aegis of the Coalition of Indigenes Rights Campaign (CIRCA), Youth Front.
Notably, CIRCA Youth Front is constituted by DESAM and AIMS.
Altogether 20 people, 19 on the treasury bench and nine on the opposition bench, participated in the debate.
Retired Manipur University Deputy Registrar Dr Oinam Kullabidhu chaired the competition as the speaker.
Dr Oinam Kullabidhu, CIRCA Manipur convenor Somorendro Thokchom, Oinam High School Associate NCC Officer Swaran kumar Thingbaijam and DESAM president Angamba Arambam attended the prize distribution function as presidium members which was held after the competition.
Leishangthem Luchingbi (treasury bench) of LMS Law College, Asem Sanjana (opposition bench) of RUDA Academy and Anamika Heirangkhomjam (treasury bench)of DM College of Arts won the first, second and third position respectively.
Consolation prizes were also given to the competitors who won fourth to 10th position.
Speaking at the prize distribution function, Somorendro Thokchom said that people of Manipur still could not voice their opinions freely on the topic of the debating competition.
Majority of the people are doubtful whether any open debate on the topic is allowed by the Constitution or not.
They also feel that it is one subject which should be left to insurgent groups.
However, to CIRCA, the topic is not something which one must be afraid to debate openly.
The right to self determination is guaranteed by the United Nations, Somorendro said.
Some competitors talked as if restoration of the pre-merger status would imply reversal to monarchy.
But restoration of premerger status does not necessarily mean return to monarchy, he added.