16th Occupancy Day observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 27 2015 :
The 16th "Occupancy Day" 2015 was observed on Monday here at the Rupmahal Theatre hall.
It was organized by the Occupancy Observation Committee.
The British occupied Manipur after the Khongjom War of 1891 and the Occupancy Observation Committee observes this day as "Occupancy Day" every year.
Special invitee of the occasion, S Manaobi Khoirenthaba in his speech said disunity among different ethnic groups of Manipur began since the advent of Hinduism in this part of the world.
He added that the indigenous people of Manipur like the Meitei, the Tangkhul, the Kabui, the Anal and the Maring co-existed and maintained oneness in the past and mentioned that the Muslims were also given Meitei surnames as a part of the social assimilation.
There were no Naga and Kuki in those days because this came into existence only after the advent of Christianity which was the first reason behind disunity among the indigenous peoples, Manaobi maintained.
He said the second reason for weakening of the unity and integrity was the Khongjom War and third was the Merger Agreement of 1949 .
Manaobi further maintained that all ethnic groups in Manipur have common roots and so they must not be allowed to break up by any outside force.
Commenting on the present geographical area of the State, he said Kabow Valley was ceded to Myanmar by the British, which led to the tragic death of Gambhir Singh Maharaja.
"Manipur can still retain the Kabow Valley under the International Law.
The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru formally exchanged Manipur's Kabow Valley with Andaman Nicobar," he added.
Manaobi explained that the take-over of Kabow Valley by Burma is not yet 100 years old now and hence it can be retaken under the International Law.
Meitei Layeng founder chairman and Occupancy Observation Committee president Dr N Ibohal, Padmashree N Kriti and Veterinary Deputy Director Dr Saroja were also present in the function.
The committee also presented simple gifts to the dignitaries and a number of differently-abled persons to mark the occasion.