Call for restoring pro-merger status marks Manipur I-Day celebration
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 14 2023: Different organisations across the state observed the Manipur Independence Day on Monday commemorating the independence of Manipur from the British rule.

Commemorating the day British left Manipur in 1947, Coalition for Indigenes Rights Campaign (CIRCA) observed the 77th Manipur Independence Day by hoisting Manipur flag with Ibudhou Pakhangba insignia at the head office of AIMS, Kwakeithel, here, on Monday.

CIRCA president Somendro Thokchom, HERICOUN president Longjam Ratankumar, WASIDEV president RK Tharaksana and IKAL president Naorem Memma Leima attended the occasion as presidium members.

Slogans like 'Hail Independence of Manipur from British', 'Hail Manipur' and 'Restore Pre-merger status' were shouted on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Somendro Thokchom explained the idea behind the observance of Manipur Independence Day commemorating the day Manipur got independence from British while stating that the main reason for observing the day is to remind the younger generations of the history of Manipur as a once sovereign nation.

He said that Manipur has its own unique history, different from the rest of the states of the country, as it remained a powerful independent Asiatic Kingdom for thousands of years.

He also spoke on how Manipur remained as an independent nation having its own constitution for two years from 1947 to 1949 before merger with the Union of India.

He said that the demand is not to get separated from India or to gain independence but to restore the pre-merger status.

He further observed that the misunderstanding and mistrust among different communities that the state is witnessing today might not be present if Manipur retained its pre-merger status.

The humanitarian clash that the state is witnessing today due to the homeland demand by Chin-Kuki groups could have been averted if Manipur was not under the direct rule of the Union of India or at least fight independently against such aggression or resolve the issue easily, he said.

Meanwhile, United Committee Manipur (UCM) has stated that any change in the territorial boundary of Manipur when it merged with the union of India as a kingdom will lead to demand for pre-merger status.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion of celebrating the 76th Manipur Independence day held at its Lamphelpat office here on Monday, UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam said that Meiteis believe in living for a single day in total freedom than to live under the rule of others.

Now, armed narco-terrorists from across the border are waging war against the Meiteis, destroying forest, planting poppies and constructing houses.

It is against such illegal acts that the Meiteis are facing the war.

We should understand that this is not a war of the Meiteis but of all the Manipuris.

It is a war waged by Chin-kuki narco terrorists against India.

He further stated that Manipur was an independent kingdom before its merger with the union of India.

If the territorial boundary of Manipur when it merged to India is destroyed, it is natural for Manipur to demand the pre-merger status.

The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) also celebrated the day by hoisting the Manipur flag at its Awa Ching office.

Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur (PPCM) observed the 76th Manipur Independence Day at the office premises of Manipur Jagoi Marup at Lamboi Khongnangkhong in Imphal West on Monday by hoisting the Manipur flag with insignia of Ibudhou Pakhangba.

Speaking as chief guest on the occasion, Zeliangrong United Committee Manipur president Meibon Phaomei observed that August 14 is an important day for Manipur as it marks the independence of Manipur from the British rule.

He recalled the bravery of forefathers, who fought the British Empire in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 and said that observing the day will remind the future generations of the valour of the patriots, who made supreme sacrifices for upholding the sovereignty of Manipur, he said.

He went on to say that people from different communities contributed in the formation of Manipur kingdom, protection of the kingdom and upholding the sovereignty and territory of the then independent nation.

Indigenous communities are living together peacefully without any misunderstanding.

However, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state that began from May 3 has been mixed with politics and it is time for a retrospection to find the cause behind the crisis.

This crisis cannot be taken lightly as it is threatening the very existence and idea of Manipur.

The present generation should maintain a strong Manipur for the future generations while understanding the outlook of the Government of India and outsiders towards the state, he said.

He also spoke on the history of Khongsai, who were brought into the state by British as labourers and how disunity in the royal family paved way for their entrance into the state.

Emphasising the need for understanding the history correctly and fully, he said that Kukis are the communities, who entered Manipur much latter than the Khongsai.

He observed that the ongoing crisis in the state that erupted from May 3 is culmination of a well-laid planning of Kukis from 1980 to 2020.There are reports of Kuki officers, who hold top positions in the administration of the state government taking leave and leaving Imphal before the May 3 violence.

It is said that even the Kuki IAS officers posted at the CM's Secretariat were on leave one month prior to the eruption of the violence.

Meetei, as the majority community, remains as the guardian of Manipur but the politics played by non indigenous communities led to the present situation, he said.

History is proof that indigenous people of the state have no doubt or fear in sacrificing their lives to protect the state, its territory and identity.

However, there is still a shortcoming in the society and these shortcoming is the lack of visionary leadership who can lead all the indigenous communities.

Unity among the CSOs and people is the need of the hour for Manipur to flourish and attain new height of development, he said, while urging CSOs not to forget their primary objective of ensuring a strong and united Manipur.

He also said that it is the incompetence of the 60 MLAs that forced the mothers of Manipur to come out to the streets and fight a complex battle to uphold the integrity and identity of Manipur.

PPCM convenor Maibam Bisheshwor presided over the observance function while historian professor N Joykumar, Imphal College political science assistant professor Dr Loitongbam Dorendro, UPF advisor L Jadu and AMUCO advisor Ito Tongbram attended as guests of honour.

On the other hand, All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) observed the 76th Manipur Independence Day at its office premises at Kwakeithel Akham Leikai, Imphal on Monday with AMUCO president Ph Nando Luwang hoisting Manipur flag with Ibudhou Pakhangba insignia.

Addressing the gathering, Nando said that the sentiment one feels when observing the day and hoisting the Manipur flag would have been different if Manipur remained as an independent nation.

The forefathers of Manipur fought the mighty British to uphold the sovereignty of Manipur with their sheer courage and idea of living independently.

Unfortunately, the present generation could no longer show those valour and bravery as Manipur is no longer an independent nation.

The people are facing restraints from various sides.

Even today, when the state is facing an existential threat, they are unable to show their commitment and patriotism to the full extent, he said.

In the last decade, the state is witnessing a new wave of patriotism among the people and increased observance of Patriots' Day and Manipur Independence Day is the proof of this emerging trend of patriotism.

This new wave of patriotism is also the proof that people of the state will do everything in their power to protect the territorial integrity and identity of Manipur against any threat, he observed.

Joint Students' Coordinating Committee (JSCC) also observed the day at Millennium Institute of Sciennces (MIS) at Kwakeithel Mayaikoibi with MIS administrator M Binod, National Research Centre president Thongam Ajit, UCM former president Sunil Karam, IPSA president Tourangbam Birjit, Kangleipak Progressive Farmers' Association president Shyam Khuman and MIS principal Wahengbam Jenith attending as presidium members.

Speaking on the occasion, JSCC convenor Hijam Roshan stressed the need for reminding the younger generation about the history of Manipur and keeping alive the flame of patriotism among them in order to keep the state strong and bring development in every sector.

The younger generations should also be reminded about the bravery of the forefathers, who valiantly fought the British Empire and how they cherished independence rather than living under foreign rule so that these memories could guide them towards a better Manipur.

Young Development Union Club (YDUC), Wangoi in association with CIRCA also observed the day at Wangoi Keithel.

SAYOL Foundation in association with Life Savers' Manipur also organised a blood donation camp at Babina Blood Centre in relation with Manipur Independence Day.

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