CCSK, CIRCA observe Manipur 'Republic/National Day'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 18 2021:
Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) observed Republic Day' of Manipur commemorating the day Manipur established its first democratically elected government after attaining independence from the British on October 18,1948, in a function held at JN Manipur Dance Academy auditorium hall, here on Monday.
Manipur University former vice-chancellor professor Amar Yumnam, CCSK president Jeetendra Ningomba and ICHAM former president Nongthombam Rajendra attended the event as chief guest,
president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Jee-tendra recounted that October 18 was the day when the first democratically elected government of independent Manipur was formed through universal adult franchise.
The day is being observed so that the younger generations could understand the history and never forget them.
The state is in an unfortunate juncture today with several public leaders in both hills and valley trying to mislead the common people for their own selfish motives while framing fake narratives of history.
The 1948 assembly was formed with members from all over the state and from different communities including 17 members from the hills.
The present and future generation should remember the past and strive towards maintaining the brotherhood among different communities, he said.
MU retired professor Naorem Joykumar, GP Women's College assistant professor K Indrakumar and social scientist Dr Dhanabir Laishram also attended and spoke at the occasion as resource persons.
Meanwhile, Coalition for Indigenes Right Campaign (CIRCA) observed Manipur National Day at AIMS office, to commemorate Manipur's feat of being the first among the South East Asian nations to hold an election and convene the state assembly at the then state Darbar hall.
According to a statement released by CIRCA, the observance was attended by its president Somorendro Thokchom, LOUSAL president Mutum Churamani, WASDEV president RK Tharaksana and IKAL general secretary Luwang Leima as presidium members.
The statement recounted that the then leaders of Manipur took serious note of their responsibility with regard to governance, judiciary, education, development, protection of rights and economic policies.
However, after then king Bodhchandra was forced to sign away Manipur's independence to India in Shillong on September 21,1949, Manipur became a Part-C state and was then elevated to the status of a union territory.
The existing government of the once independent kingdom was dismantled overnight and Manipur was forced to plunge into a state of unending disharmony among the different indigenous communities, brought on by the divide and rule policy of India.
Apart from imposing various black laws which have infringed upon basic human rights and causing countless casualties, people of the state are forced to depend on mainland India, thereby gradually losing their sense of independence, identity and dignity.
Various issues and problems have cropped up in the state, compelling the people to believe that taking up arms is the only way to survive.
Additionally, discord among the different communities, conflicts, loss of identity due to influx of outsiders, violation of human rights and social movements are on the rise.
"CIRCA believes that to resolve all these issues, it would be best for Manipur to take over the internal governance while India takes care of the defence, communication and external affairs as per the Instrument of Ascension signed by the then government of India and Manipur on August 11, 1947," it contended.
The statement then said that CIRCA has been demanding restoring the pre-merger political status of Manipur.
It had also been emphasis ing the need for spreading awareness among the young generation of the state that Manipur already had drafted its own Constitution and had conducted an election under the.
Manipur State Election Rules 1948, which was followed by convening of the first state assembly sitting at the Manipur State Darbar Hall.
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