Mahasangha supports CIRCA movement
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 29 2015:
Considering the validity of the demand for the restoration of Pre-Merger Special Political status of Manipur, Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha (ASM), a confederation of Indigenous communities of Assam has extended support to the Coalition for Indigenous Rights Campaign (CIRCA), Manipur in its struggle.
In a statement, Mahasangha Working President Matur Rahman said Manipur's Maharaja Boddha Chandra was "coerced" to sign the Merger Agreement by VP Menon, Advisor to the Home Minister under the strict instruction from the then Home Minster of India Sadar Vallabhai Patel at Assam's Shillong House on September 21, 1949 .
He said it was not right for India to have forced the merger of Manipur into its Union without seeking the mandate of its people who had already had a Constitution of their own with an elected Parliament in the form of Assembly.
Rahman further stated that Manipur Peoples' Council with representatives of all its indigenous ethnic communities as members, now being raised by CIRCA demand must be considered and realized by the responsible authorities.
Then there will be permanent peace in the State as everyone will feel secured and protected under such a constitutional set-up.
Rahman criticised the Government of India for restricting people from their right to meet the human rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu without the approval from the Manipur State Police after submitting an application before 30 days.
He also claimed to have approached the State police authorities for meeting Sharmila on September 24 last.
But his request was not accepted without the application before 30 days.
Vehemently opposing the policy, Rahman said Sharmila is not at all a criminal but a human rights activist.
"Such type of restriction should not be imposed", said the Mahasangha Working President.