CorCom calls total shutdown on Oct 15
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 10 2020: In commemoration of the National Black Day against the alleged oppressive regime of India, the CorCom has called a 12 hour total shutdown from 6 am to 6 pm of October 15 .

A statement issued by the CorCom publicity committee called upon the people to suspend all normal activities and movement on roads during the shutdown hours and observe the National Black Day effectively.

However, essential services and emergency services including medical services, media and religious activities would be exempted from the purview of the shutdown, it said.

For over 2000 years, Manipur (Kangleipak) existed as an independent, sovereign Nation in Asia and this fact was reflected vividly in the international relations Manipur had with the British empire and Burma, it asserted.

Manipur was again recognised as a sovereign, independent Nation by the Treaty of Yandabo 1826 signed between the British empire and Burma in the aftermath of the Seven Years' Devastation.

The Pemberton Report of 1835 identified Manipur as a key sovereign State located between Assam and Burma.

The Kolkata High Court in its Keifa Singh case 1865 and Sajoupa case 1867 described Manipur as an Asiatic sovereign power.

A Memorandum of Argument submitted to the Government of British India on July 27, 1891 on behalf of Kullachandra Singh (King/Regent) of Manipur and Tikendrajit Singh (Senapati/commander-in-chief) too identified Manipur as an independent, sovereign State before the Anglo-Manipuri War.

In accordance with the Indian Independence Act, India and Pakistan were created in 1947.Section 7(1)(b) of the Indian Independence Act 1947 restored the sovereign status of Manipur on August 14, 1947 which was there before it was occupied by the British empire, the CorCom recollected.

It was on August 14, 1947 that the Manipur Constitution Act was promulgated and Manipur once again became a sovereign, independent Nation.

But the Government of India, after violating all international laws as well as the Manipur Constitution Act 1947, held king Bodhachandra captive at Shillong and the king who was then just the Constitutional figurehead as per the Manipur Constitution Act was forced to sign the Manipur Merger Agreement under duress on September 21, 1949, the committee said.

To a telegram sent by Governor of Assam Prakasa to the Indian Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Patel through Ministry of States secretary VP Menon, Sardar Patel replied, "...is there no Indian Brigadier ?" and this statement serves as a clear testimony to how the Manipur Merger Agreement got signed, it remarked.

Citing all these circumstances and historical precedents, the CorCom asserted that the Manipur Merger Agreement signed on September 21, 1949 is bereft of any legal validity.

It has been 70 years since Manipur was forcibly merged into the Indian Union and during these long 70 years, the Government of India has been working consistently to suppress Manipur politically and economically, obliterate the culture, tradition and identity of all indigenous people and ultimately assimilate them into the mainland India, the CorCom alleged.

Accusing the Government of India of following malicious policies aimed at exterminating the indigenous people of Manipur, the CorCom asserted that the people ought to fight back and protect themselves.

It then asserted that the ongoing liberation movement would determine the survival or extinction of the indigenous Manipuri people.

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