MPP remembers first Assembly sitting
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 18 2012: Manipur People's Party (MPP) today remembered the first sitting of Manipur State Legislative Assembly in 1948 during an observance function held at its head office here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor of MPP Dr L Chandramani, who is also the ex-Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, categorically stated that Manipur was the first and foremost "country" that adopted democratic form of government in the entire East Asia.The first Manipur state assembly session was held on October 18, 1948 at the royal palace's Durbar Hall.

Prior to that, no other country of East Asia including India has even laid the foundation of democracy.

Talking at length about the speech delivered by then Maharaja Bodhachandra in the first State Assembly and urging the present generation to remember that speech, Dr Chandramani exhorted that time has come for the people to remember the proclamation of Bodhchandra who had suggested setting up of educational institutions, particularly high schools in the hill areas of Manipur and production of silk textile to boost up economy.

Dr Chandramani went on to say that North Eastern States including Manipur have been suffering the worst form of administration under the Centre's iron hand with all sorts of crimes happening almost on daily basis.

Today, Manipur is not the old Manipur which we have known.

The area of the state has been reduced drastically, Kabow Valley has been taken away, and large area of land in Molcham ceased to be part of Manipur.

Veteran Politician and ex-MLA O Joy, who was also present on the occasion, said that Parliamentary Democracy came into existence in Manipur around 64 years back.

It was from that time that the seed of the democracy was sown in the state.

MPP President Umananda, who presided over the function, informed that the event would be observed in a much bigger way from next year.

The commemoration is being held for the third time and recognising the increasing importance of the occasion, MPP would try to observe the day at the Durbar Hall of the royal palace from next year.

General Secretary of the Party M Maniton delivered the key note address of the function which was also attended by many other chief functionaries and workers of MPP.

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