Pre-merger status CIRCA to submit stand to Centre
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 01 2017: Coalition for Indigenes' Rights Campaign (CIRCA) has decided to submit a seven-point proposal to the Central Government for restoration of pre-merger political status to Manipur under the purview of the Instrument of Accession, 1947 .

Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club today, CIRCA convenor Somorendro Thokchom said that the organisation has been campaigning for the last 28 months to meet the demand .

In the proposal, CIRCA demanded the Central Government to recognise the prevailing armed conflict in the State and accordingly make an official declaration to this effect .

It demanded the decision of the Supreme Court taken on July 8, 2016 describing the situation in the State as a case of public order situation equivalent to internal disturbance be rolled back immediately .

The Government of India should recognise the prevailing Manipur-India conflict as a political issue that requires a political solution.

A political approach rather than a military approach should be adopted to find a negotiated settlement to the present conflict in the State.

Also, India should recognise the distinct history and political status of Manipur as a step towards finding a political solution to the conflict in the State, it demanded .

Restoration of the pre-merger political status to Manipur under the purview of the Instrument of Accession, 1947 should be the basis of any such political solution, CIRCA made it clear .

CIRCA in its proposal further demanded that the problem of influx of immigrants from neighbouring countries exacerbated by systematic transfer of population from mainland India to Manipur being a demographic dimension of the Manipur-India conflict should be set as an agenda for any future political negotiations .

Until such time arrives and a meaningful agreement is reached and the status to be accorded to the migrants, the GoI should frame a regulation to prevent any form of influx to protect the native populace of Manipur, CIRCA said .

It then appealed to all the concerned to freely express their views and ideas without any fear.

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