Statehood Day celebrated at Statehood Square, Irawat Bhawan
More autonomy needed for political and economic development: Sotinkumar
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 21 2023: Statehood Square Development Committee, Imphal celebrated the 51st Manipur Statehood Day at Statehood Square, here, on Saturday.

Speaking at the observance, CPI Manipur leader L Sotinkumar stressed the need to change the present political system wherein the central government is exercising almost all the powers of the once independent Manipur.

Instead, more autonomy should be given so as to help expedite political and economic development of the state, he added.

While reminding all concerned that Manipur was once an independent nation with its own elected representatives and later became a part of India, the communist leader contended that after tactfully destroying all its identity, Manipur was relegated to the position of a part-C state, which is similar to the status of a union territory.

He also recalled that people of Manipur along with different political organisations launched movement by forming a joint committee against the ill treatment of the state and subsequently Manipur attained statehood.

In his address, CPI M secretary Kshetrimayum Santa said that the government should renovate the statehood square in view of the changing times.

The observance was also attended by Statehood Square Development Committee chairman ex-MLA Laishram Jatra and Committee convenor AC Jayenta among others.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (CPI) Manipur State celebrated the 51st statehood day at Irawat Bhawan, here, on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, CPI state secretary L Thoiren gave the credit of getting statehood to the people while mentioning that CPI leaders also played major role in the public movement.

Hijam Irawat stood for an autonomous Manipur under a federal structure of India.

After his demise, CPI sustained the movement for statehood and Thokchom Bira was one of the leaders of that movement.

Apart from him, several CPI leaders spent jail time for participation in the movement.

The voice of CPI led to the idea of an all-party movement, which was spearheaded by the then Manipur Socialist Party, he said and informed that the Congress party too has been in the movement since the beginning.

CPI leaders Dr Moirangthem Nara and L Sotinkumar were also present on the occasion.

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