Independence Day of Manipur widely observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 14 2025: The All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) today observed the 79th Manipur Independence by hoisting the Manipur flag embossed with the symbol of Ibudhou Pakhangba.

A number of other organisations also observed the day at different places.

AMUCO president Pheiroijam Nando Luwang hoisted the flag embossed with the symbol of Ibudhou Pakhangba before the formal function was held at AMUCO office, Kwakeithel.

AMUCO president Ph Nando Luwang, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president Soraisam Memcha and AMAWOVA president Yumkhaibam Kunjarani graced the function as presidium members.

Many senior members of AMUCO were also present at the function.

Speaking to media persons, Nando Luwang said that they were commemorating the day Manipur regained its independence with the lapse of the British paramountcy on August 14, 1947 .

Independence Day of Manipur widely observed

Except for the defeats it suffered at the hands of Burma (Myanmar) and the British, Manipur existed as an independent Nation throughout history.

However, following the merger of Manipur into the Indian Union in 1949, Manipuri people have been living under perpetual subjugation and they are slowly forgetting the fact that they once lived as a free Nation, he said.

"We are observing the Manipur Independence Day to remind every one that Manipur once existed as an independent Nation," Nando said.

Manipur regained its sovereignty in the midnight of August 14, 1947 .

On the next day, Maharaj Bodhchandra and his queen offered prayer at Kangla at 7.10 am.

The king then performed customary rituals and hoisted the flag embossed with the symbol of Ibudhou Pakhangba at 7.40 am.

Documents related to the declaration of Manipur's independence were handed over to Maharaj Bodhchandra at 8 am.

The outrageous claim being made by some separatist elements that the territory of Manipur is restricted to the valley areas of 7000 sq Kms has no historical basis or legal foundation, the AMUCO president asserted.

The documents handed over to Maharaj Bodhchandra by the British rulers which granted independence were for the whole of Manipur.

Likewise, the whole of Manipur was merged into the Indian Union in 1949.However, certain communities have been conspiring to disintegrate Manipur by distorting its history.

Moreover, people have evidence of the Government of India supporting and patronising armed militants of these groups.

As a result, Manipur is caught in a restive situation, he said.

The 79th Independence Day of Manipur was also observed at the office of the Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur (PPCM) at Wahengbam Leikai.

There too, the Manipur flag embossed with the symbol of Ibudhou Pakhangba was hoisted.

The Civil Society Organisations, Kangleipak, a conglomerate of IPSA, PANDM, ACOAM-Lup, IPAK, KSA, ERDO, LOYALUP, ANDOK, KANGLAMEI, CLK, KIL, AKSIL, MIKL, and SWA, appealed to all Manipuris to unite and work together to build a strong and vibrant society.

In a joint statement, these Organisations said that Manipur fell under British rule following its defeat in the Anglo Manipur War of 1891.Stating that 'our ancestors' fought the battle to protect the sovereignty of the erstwhile kingdom, it added that Manipur regained its independence on August 14, 1947, after being under British colonial rule for 56 years.

The statement highlighted that the Manipur Constitution Act of 1947 paved the way for a democratic election in Manipur in October 1948, making it the second Nation in Southeast Asia to form an elected Government.

Various global challenges, including the alleged proxy war by the Government of India against Meeteis using Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the crises in Bangladesh and Myanmar, should not be taken lightly, it said.

Continuing that Manipuris have been fighting to protect the idea of Manipur, it stressed that safeguarding Manipur is the responsibility of all its people.

The Joint Students' Coordination Committee (JSCC), an apex body of Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF), Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) Students' Union of Kangleipak (SUK) and another student organisation, also celebrated the day at COMET School, Ucheckon today.

The event started with the unfurling of a paphal-embossed flag.

MSF president Hijam Roshan, in his keynote speech, underscored Kangleipak's historical significance as a sovereign entity in Southeast Asia for centuries.

He also reminded attendees that Manipur was under British rule for 56 years after the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War and regained independence on August 14, 1947.Noting that Manipur merged with India in 1949, he expressed concern that many younger generations in Manipur have forgotten that the State was once an independent kingdom.

He added that despite Manipur's inability to take independent decisions, people still observe the independence day.

Comet School Principal Thoudam Devachandra, KSA president Sukham Bidyananda and SUK president Ningthoujam Dhanakumar Meitei also attended the programme among others.