Should under separate administration: CIRCA
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 27 2015:
The Merger Agreement is still alive and like the Naga Peace Accord, Manipur Merger Agreement should be kept alive and "we should live under a separate administration," demanded spokesperson of Coalition for Indigenous Right Campaign (CIRCA), Ningthouja Lancha.
People's Protection and Development Committee (PDC) and Coalition for Indigenous Right Campaign (CIRCA) jointly organised a sit-in protest against the Manipur Merger Agreement on Saturday at Wangoi Community Hall.
Ningthouja Lancha said that the Merger Agreement is the main cause of the influx of outsiders into Manipur.
King Bodhachandra was forced to sign the agreement which led to the end of democracy in Manipur, added Lancha.
"The agreement is not reasonable and it should be revised.
India Government does not follow the ground rules of the agreement.
People should be united to demand a new special political institute" said Lancha while adding that the Foreigners Act, which was implemented in 1946 was withdrawn on October 14, 1950 and since then non-Manipuris have been continuously pouring into the State.
Manipuris do not have the right to enjoy their political, economic and cultural identities which is the root cause of all problems in the State.
India has mocked Manipuri's independence in 1949 and it brought the present situation, added Lancha.
Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) president M Angamba said that India Government has been trying to abolish the indigenous peoples when Manipuris have been trying to save it.
Manipur Governor has sent the three Bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31 last with an aim to protect the indigenous people to the President for his consideration.
In the meantime, the Bangladeshis have been granted permission to settle in Assam by the Indian Government, said Lancha and added that the India's step should be watched carefully.
The emergence of Trans-Asia Railway, Asian Highway, secret plot of ONGC in the name of globalization and corporatizations have increased the fear of extinction of indigenous people of the State and so the people need to continue with the work to safeguard the indigenous people, added Lancha.