The question of territorial integrity of Manipur

Hareshwar Goshwami *

The Shillong Accord 1949.
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The present State of Manipur had a vast territorial boundary before the Treaty of Yandaboo (1826), except for brief interregnums in the past. Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (33-154 AD) is revered as the first king of united Manipur as per the Royal Chronicles, the Cheitharol Kumbaba, the Pakhangba Phamballon, and others.

From the perspective of ancient Indian philosophy too, the kingdom of Lainingthou Pakhangba embodied all the Sapta Angas (seven attributes) of an ancient realm, ie, Swamin (king), Amatya (minister), Janapada (people), Dingo (fort), Kosha (treasury), Danda (army), and Mitra (friend), as described in Kautilya's Arthashastra.

As stated in the Pemberton Report, 1835, the territorial boundaries of Manipur fluctuated with the fortunes of her rulers, frequently extending far beyond the Ningthee (Chindwin or Khyendwen) River of Bunna (Myanmar) in the East, and to the plains of Cachar district of Assam in the West.

The vast expanse of the territorial boundary is further echoed in the Proclamation of Maharaja Bodhchandra on 18 October, 1948, which suggests that Manipur had dominion over a wide area extending as far as the southern portion of China in the North, the gold mines in the Sibsagar valley, the river Chindwin in the East and South, and Chandrapur (Cachar) in the West.

There are innumerable records, documents, and historical accounts supporting the view that Manipur had an extensive boundary in the past. Noteworthy among them are the writings of Walter Hamilton, Michael Symes, Caroline Coutauld; Prof Gangmumei Kabui; Dr L Chandramani; the Gazetteer of Upper Chindwin District (Volume A) compiled by GER Grant Brown; the Gazetteer of Manipur by EW Dun; the Annual Report of Manipur Political Agency (1868-69), and the Anglo-Manipuri Treaty (1762), etc.

The present boundary of Manipur, now reduced to 22,356 sq. km (Statistical Handbook of Manipur : 1981), was delineated primarily to suit the administrative convenience of the British rulers, much against the wishes of the Manipuris. There was little or no room for opposition or objection from the Manipuris, since the whole region was under the direct control of the British.

The trauma endured by the Manipuris during the 19th century while their boundaries were arbitrarily fixed by foreign powers is well described in the weekly publication Resistance Vol. DI (1978:3), which stated that after the arrival of the British in the 19th century, the consciousness of a frontier [boundary] gradually slipped out of the minds of the Manipuri people.

The Manipuris simply acquiesced to whatever manipulation the British made to their boundaries in pursuit of imperial interests. Therefore, the present boundary of the State is significantly reduced compared to the traditional boundary that existed throughout the pre-British period since the commencement of history.

There are five major events that shaped the socio-political landscape of Manipur, including the territorial boundary of today. These are:

1. First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-26)

2. Treaty of Yandaboo (1826) that shaped the future of Manipur by two expansionist powers, Bunna and the British, without a single representative of Manipur

3. Agreement regarding Kabo Valley (1834) that molded the present Manipur Myanmar boundary, again without a representative from Manipur

4. The questionable Instrument of Accession (1947) that partially formalized the amalgamation of Manipur in the form of a confederation with the Dominion of India, signed by Maharaja Bodh Chandra

5. The controversial Merger Agreement (1949) which led to the complete political assimilation of Manipur into the Indian Union.

Manipur's Territorial Integrity: A Historical Realism

With regard to the present boundary, the Merger Agreement of 1949 becomes particularly relevant. The Agreement was signed on 21 September, 1949 at Shillong between Bodh Chandra, the Maharaja of Manipur, and the Governor General of India, represented by VP Menon, the Advisor to the Government of India (Ministry of State), in the presence of Sri Prakash, the Governor of Assam.

The second paragraph of the Merger Agreement reads: "Whereas in the best interests of the State of Manipur as well as of the Dominion of India it is desirable to provide for the administration of the said State [Manipur] by or under the authority of the Dominion Government."

To my understanding, the State of Manipur is embodied by its people, and the people are duly represented by the State Assembly. Pertaining to the sanctity of Manipur's territory, the Assembly has, on numerous occasions, passed resolutions affirming and upholding the existing boundaries maintained since the time of the merger –thereby safeguarding the collective interest of its people.

Subsequent to the merger, the Government of India issued the Manipur (Administration) Order dated 15th October 1949. The order defined Manipur as: "In this order, `Manipur' means the whole of the area, which, immediately before the commencement of this order, is comprised within the State of Manipur."

The breadth of the phrase "the whole of the area" is eloquently demonstrated by the existence of outposts such as Chattik, Kongal, Jiri, Mao, Moreh, Numfow, Yangoupokpi, and others-Police Stations that were established as frontier posts at the boundaries of the state. Several of these posts continue to function to this day, though some have been succeeded by modern installations.

As Constitutional monarchy in Manipur ended, the governance of the state was assumed by the Chief Commissioner under the State Merger (Chief Commissioners' Provinces) Order, 1950, effective from 22 January 1950. Consequently, Manipur was designated as a Part C State under the Part C States Act, 1951.

Faced with the options of merging with Assam or forming a new union with the Mizo Hills, Tripura, and Cachar, Manipur's unique historical legacy and distinct cultural and linguistic identity ultimately warranted its elevation to a Union Territory.

Moreover, Part II, Clause (3) of the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971 mandates the formation of a new State — Manipur —comprising the territories that constituted the Union Territory of Manipur immediately before that day.

The First Schedule of the Constitution of India defines the territory thus: "Manipur - The territory which immediately before the commencement of the Constitution was being administered as if it were a Chief Commissioner's Province under the name Manipur."

Unity & Integrity of Manipur Since Before the Merger

At the dawn of independence in 1947, approximately some 90 (ninety) representatives from 36 (thirty-six) villages within the then Ukhrul SubDivision convened a historic meeting at Hundung village on the 4th and 5th of August, under the stewardship of Mishivam Pandit of Choithar village as Chairman, and Naokahao of Nungshang village as Secretary.

The assembly resolved that all Tangkhul villages would work in unity with the Maharaja of Manipur and the State authorities (Resistance: 1977). In the same spirit, Shri Hijam Irabot presided over a meeting at the Manipur Dramatic Union Hall on 30 November 1947 to affirm the unity and territorial sanctity of Manipur, culminating in the formation of the United Front, with Hijam Irabot of Praja Sangha as President and MK Shimray of Tangkhulong as Secretary.

The Union's esteemed members included Lunneh of the Kuki National Assembly, Kachangai of the Kabui National Union, Teba Kilong of the Khulmi Union, Dena of the Mizo Union, Kabiraj Okram Ibomcha of the Krishak Sabha, M Ibungohal of Nongpok Apunba Marup, Sulei Miya of Yairipok, and Lamphel of the Meitei Marup.

Following the departure of British in 1947, notable figures from the hill communities engaged actively in the governance and policy formulation of the newly independent State. Many participated in the Constitutional monarchy that lasted from 1947 to 1949.

Of the seven members who composed the drafting sub-committee of the Manipur State Hill Peoples (Administration) Regulation Act (1947), Shri A Daiho, Shri Suisa, Shri TC Tiankham, and Teba Kilong made significant contributions. Shri A Daiho also served as a member of the Constitution Sub-Committee.

Among the 49 (forty-nine) Constituencies (counting only one seat for ACs having double seats) of Manipur's first State Assembly, 17 (seventeen) hailed from the hill regions. Distinguished members included Rungsung Suisa from Toloi Hill, Dr L Kampu from Maite, SL Lunneh from Tama (Saitu), R Khathing from Sadar Hills, TC Tiankham from Thlanship (Hansip), Holpao from Tengnoupal Part II, Thisan Luikham from Ukhrul, and MK Shimray from Chingjarol.

The clarion call for the unity and integrity of Manipur persisted even after the merger with the Indian Union. Though certain disruptive elements, often fuelled by external forces, have attempted to sow discord, we must not falter. Rather, we must stand resolutely to preserve Manipur's unity and territorial sanctity.

The Government of India must also honor the historical truth and the aspirations of the vast majority, who are too often misled into conflict. The rule of law must prevail, impartially and steadfastly, to restore peace and harmony across the State.