The Congress Ministry in Manipur led by (late) M Koireng was reduced to minority in the last part of October 1969 and President's Rule was imposed. Nagaland became a full-fledged state in the month of December 1963.

The two factors gave impetus to all political parties to plunge into the demand of statehood of Manipur. The foundation was laid by the constitution of the All-Party Statehood Demand Coordination Committee with its office in the shop building of (late) Salam Gambhir Singh.

It was undeniable fact that the leadership of the Manipur Pradesh Congress was a bit shy to join the movement though it was in the forefront ultimately.

Several forays of the delegation of the demand of statehood were snubbed or rebuffed by the Congress Government in Delhi and they insisted on the opinion of the tribal people of Manipur. In a taunting manner they were advised not to compare Manipur with Nagaland as it was a special case.

The Statehood Coordination Committee took decision to send a delegation of the tribals under their auspices to Delhi and I led the delegation of the Manipur Tribal Leaders Council comprising Kalanlung Kamei, Paolen Haokip, Stephen Angkang and Kakhanggai.

I had the fortune of earning the epithet, 'The running dog of the Meiteis' from some vested tribal leaders in south Manipur (Churachandpur district).

First of all, the delegate met (late) Jagjivan Ram as he was the President of the Congress party and Defence Minister, too on the 16th May 1970 (Saturday) at 9 pm. After two days we met (late) Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister on the 18th May 1970 at 9.15 am and 12 noon (Monday). On the same day we met (late) SB Chavan, Home Minister at 6.40 pm.

The two ubiquitous questions were, one, will there be language problem like in Assam? Two will the tribals demand autonomy?

Answer to the former was 'categorically no' as English and Meiteilon (Manipuri) in Bengali script will go side by side.

As regards to the latter question, was 'certainly yes' as it would be the cementing force of the plural society of Manipur and for protecting and preserving the integrity of Manipur.

A press conference was held on the 19th May at 5 pm. Most of the pressmen wanted to know whether statehood would be granted to Manipur which was non-viable financially having a small territory and population.

I warmed them up with my reply 'I told the Home Minister that you opened the sluice gate for granting statehood to Nagaland and other small territories.

To his vindication that Nagaland was a 'special case' I retorted whether there was any 'Special reason' for not granting statehood to Manipur. In lighter vein, I told them that if not granted, we will snatch statehood, which was splashed in the Indian Express.

Late Shrimati Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister announced the grant of statehood to Manipur in Parliament on the 3rd September 1970 (Thursday) and inaugurated on the 21st January 1972 at 10.50 am (Friday) at Palace Ground by herself.

In order to submit memorandum on Autonomous district councils in the tribal areas of Manipur our delegation comprising myself, Kalanlung Kamei, Kamkhanthang and Shompa met Late Indiraji on the 25th November 1972 at 1.15 pm and submitted our memorandum.

Her reply was that there will not be any sort of invidious treatment to the tribal people in Manipur. We returned home with relish and aplomb.

Alas! the State Government had dissolved all the six Autonomous District Councils on the dates given hereunder against respective district Councils:

1. Chandel - 17.10.1988
2. Ukhrul - 18.3.1989
3. CCpur - 18.3.1989
4. Tamenglong - 18.3.89
5. Sadar Hills - 18.3.89
6. Senapati - 24.11.1993

Statistically, for the tribal people, who are candidates aspirant for elective posts there were 120 (one hundred and twenty) seats in the six Autonomous District Councils, twenty or nineteen Assembly seats, one Parliamentary reserved seat and several seats in the Municipality Council in the hills.

Thus, the number of seats were abundant for the aspirants to contest election according to their calibre and choice. But it is pathetic that the Government is involved in crass bungling and the tribal MLAs consciously betray their own people as John Pulamte, the newly elected President of the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur blurted in his maiden speech.

People are making muted protest and wondering if their credo or goal is to become croesus, king of Lydia of fabulous wealth. It also appears to them that erasing district autonomy in the hill areas may be likened to a pin-prick on the hide of a rhino or erasing what was written with chalk stick on the blackboard. Low use of high office usually invites malediction or a calling down of curse.

The State Government has given a nod to the entitlement of monthly pension to the employees of the district councils.

Thus it is self-evident truth that all the former members of the district councils can claim to enact a legislation for earning monthly pension in line with the Act of Ex-MLAs' pension.

Let the Rip Van Winkles of the State wake up from their eighteen years slumber to revive the Autonomous District Councils in the hill areas to serve as 'Cementing Force; of the integrity of Manipur to uphold the clarion call, 'Ching-Tam Amattani'.