Civil societies commemorate I-Day of Manipur
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 14 2021: Various civil society organisations of Manipur celebrated Independence Day of Manipur at different places on Saturday.

United Committee Manipur (UCM) and International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) commemorated the day on which Manipur got independence from British Empire by hoisting Manipur's flag with Pakhangba Pafal.

In a release, UCM said that Manipur got independence from the British Empire in the night of August 14,1947 after 56 years of colonial rule and the people of the state should never forget the national flag of Manipur, which was hoisted at the sacred Kangla on that day.

The same flag is still being preserved in the Manipur State Museum.

History itself is proof that Manipur got independence one day ahead of India, the statement said.

On the other hand, International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) along with its affiliated organisations commemorated the day at Langol Wangdei Meetei Leikai community hall.

IPSA advisor Ibotombi Khuman, PANDM president Y Dilipkumar, KIL president RK Sanahanbi, UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam and ACOAM Lup president Sanjit Soraisam attended the observance function as presidium members.

Remembering the handing over of the independence of Manipur by the British to Maharaj Bodhchandra on August 14, 1947 midnight, Coalition for Indigenes Rights Campaign (CIRCA), Manipur and All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) celebrated 75th Manipur Independence Day at different places on Saturday.

While CIRCA celebrated the Independence Day at Keibi Mana Ching in Imphal East district with unfurling of the Pakhangba flag, AMUCO commemorated the event at its office at Kwakeithel in Imphal West district.

CIRCA president Somorendro Thokchom, in his address at the event, said that August 14 will ever remain as an inseparable day in the history of Manipur as it was on this day that the British handed over independence to Manipur.

After granting independence by the British and unfurling of own flag, Manipur had its own democratically elected government after the Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947 was passed.

However, Manipur was merged to the Dominion of India after Maharaj Bodhchandra was forced to sign on the merger agreement in Shillong on September 21, 1949 and then lost sovereign political status.

As per the Instrument of Accession signed between Manipur and India on August 11, 1947 before the British left India, Manipur had the power of self-administration except defence, communication and external affairs but India still does not honour it.

The sudden change of political status in 1949 is the root cause of different issues and conflicts, he said, adding that Manipur is facing different issues as a result of merger With India.

Somorendro further said that CIRCA's long standingiiemand of granting political autonomy to Manipur as per the Instrument of Accession is genuine and it should be granted.

With the belief that political status before signing merger agreement should be restored at least to some subjects, CIRCA had been demanding restoration of pre-merger political status, he added.

The event was also attended by CIRCA vice president Longjam Ratan, joint secretary Luwangleima, WASDEV president RK Tharaksana, lrabot Memorial Trust president L Gunindro, lrabot Memorial Trust vice president AC Sidam and others.

During the celebration at AMUCO office, its president Pheiroijam Nando Luwang said that Manipur was never a part of India when the British granted independence on the intervening night of August 14 and 15,1947 as the British separately administered India and Manipur.

He said that Maharaj Bodhchandra declared independence of Manipur from the British on August 14 midnight and hence people of Manipur should rejoice and celebrate Independence Day on August 14.After prolonged neglect, Manipur Independence Day on August 14 is now beginning to celebrate widely, he said, adding there is nothing anti-India or anti-national in celebrating Independence Day of Manipur.

On the other hand, Students' Union of Kan-gleipak (SUK) celebrated Independence Day of Manipur at its head office.

According to a statement, the celebration began with unfurling of flag of Kangleipak by its president Dhanakumar Nirigthouja in the presence of members of SUK district committee, branches and units.

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