Speech by His Majesty, Meidingu Leishemba Sanajaoba, the King of Manipur
- February 25 2017 -

Meidingu Leishemba Sanajaoba, the King of Manipur at Langjing Achouba , February 25 2017

After the Merger of Manipur with India, the invitation extended to the King of Manipur to share a platform with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on his visit to Manipur will become historic. All the communities living in Manipur are now suffering in an inexpressible manner. The gaps separating them have also widened greatly. This land which once existed as one of the world’s oldest kingdoms having a history of thousands of years with respect of one another’s culture, tradition and religion have become a fearful place to live in.

On behalf of all the communities and ethnic groups living with utmost suffering in the hills and the valley, I, a king in name only having been deprived of royal grandeur would like to express a few words taking advantage of this opportunity to participate in this august gathering : It is my firm resolve that the boundary of Manipur where various communities and ethnic groups have been living together in peace and harmony since primordial times is not to be compromised at any cost and not even an rich of her land be sacrificed.

I have conveyed this resolve of mine to the leaders of communities and political parties during my meetings with them. The kings who ruled Manipur at various periods of history fought and shed blood to preserve her territory. Following this tradition, I also stand firmly for the unity and integrity of Manipur where various communities are living together in harmony. It is also my firm resolve to face any challenge threatening this unity and integrity.

The assurances given by the central and state governments ruling the state since 1950 to bring solution to issues and problems, the memorandums of understanding with the hill-based armed organizations and civil society organizations and at this present juncture the framework agreement signed by the NDA Govt, at the centre and NSCN (IM) have created the fear and suspicion in the minds of various sections of Manipuris that the unity and integrity of Manipur might be broken. I humbly request Shree Narendra Modiji, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India who is on a visit to Manipur to firmly convince the people of Manipur that the territorial integrity of Manipur shall never be compromised or broken at any cost.

Meidingu Leishemba Sanajaoba, the King of Manipur at Langjing Achouba , February 25 2017

I, on my part, have requested the State and National BJP leaders as well Union Ministers to do the same. They have also on their part, given firm assurance that the territorial integrity of Manipur where various communities live in peace and harmony shall not be compromised. But as the General Election draws near, an uneasiness lurks in the mind of Manipuris caused by the fear and suspicion that the territorial integrity of Manipur might be compromised or broken. It is my humble request to Shree Narendra Modiji to remove all such fears and suspicions from the minds of Manipuris, that the territorial integrity of Manipur will be compromised or broken.

In order to remove these fears and suspicions, I humbly remind Shree Narendra Modiji to convince the people of Manipur that the wishes and acceptance of the leaders of the communities living in Manipur and the State Govt, before finalizing the solution of any ethnic crisis or any problem in the state and also before amending the constitution for a final solution to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur.

It is necessary to protect and nourish the indigenous culture, tradition and territory of the people of Manipur which is quite small compared to other communities in the country. We have witnessed subjugation of a small community by a bigger community resulting in the extinction of the indigenous identity, land, culture and tradition of the small community. The kind attention of Shree Narendra Modiji, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, therefore, is drawn to take up strong measures within the constitution of India to protect and nourish the indigenous land, culture, tradition and identity of the Manipuris which have been in existence for thousands of years.

Meidingu Leishemba Sanajaoba, the King of Manipur at Langjing Achouba , February 25 2017

Here, I would like to mention a small matter which should not be considered as my own personal request. The title of the customary Head entrusted to the king of Manipur in the Merger Agreement signed just before Manipur merged with India to protect the indigenous cultures, traditions and religions of Manipuris has become meaningless now. This is the main reason behind the gradual loss of identity of the people of Manipur and increase of mistrust amongst the various communities which have been living in peace and harmony for thousands of years. Please make the office of the Customary Head truly meaningful and functional as defined in the Merger Agreement.

I would like to draw the attention of Shree Narendra Modiji to take up strong measures on the personnel of State and Central Security Forces involved in inhuman tortures and fake encounters in Manipur where armed groups are in conilict with one another and to let the people of Manipur have the ‘right of life’ in the true sense. After the merger of Manipur with India, the King of Manipur is remembered when the Hon'ble Prime Minister is paying a visit to Manipur and invited to share a platform together today. This will become a historic event.

Lastly, I would also like to draw the attention of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to take up strong steps not to permit adding more sufferings to the people of Manipur living in the hills and the valley who have been suffering tremendous hardships in every way possible.