Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 18 2010:
Introspecting on the political status of Manipur after its merger with India in 1949, the proscribed KCP has compared the present situation of Manipur to those days of colonialism under the British rule.
A press release issued by Yaiphaba, assistant to Tabungba Meetei of the outfit's information and public relations department asserted that the people of Manipur have been facing extreme misery for the last 60 years since the alleged forced merger.
Economically, Manipur remains most backward while politically, there is no Government really concerned with welfare of the people.
Politically, economically and socially, Manipur is being subjugated like a colony, it alleged.
New Delhi is only perpetuating the legacy of colonialism left behind by British imperialists.
This is testified by the various draconian laws being enforced in Manipur.
Whereas Manipur was an ancient kingdom, India came into being much later only after the arrival of British imperialists, the outfit pointed out.
Recalling that Manipur became independent on August 14, 1947 from British suzerainty followed by enactment of the Manipur Constitution Act 1947 and the Manipur State Hill Peoples Administration Regulation 1947 .
Before the end of 1948, a democratically elected Government was established with a Council of Ministers comprising of 53 elected members.
But the Government of India forced the king of Manipur to sign the Merger Agreement under duress in 1949 without approval of the elected Government.
Soon after, Manipur was reduced to the status of a Part C State.
The Government of India has been replicating in Manipur what the British imperialists did to them.
The Government of India hailed those who fought against British colonialism and black laws as 'National Heroes', but those people fighting for independence in Manipur are being dubbed as outlaws, the outfit asserted.
Before 60 years, Manipur was self-reliant but today Manipur has been deprived to such a stage that it appears that Manipur cannot survive without external aids.
"Under such conditions, would it be wrong to wage a movement for regaining the lost freedom?", the outfit asked.
Claiming that the time has come for the oppressed people, the KCP appealed to the people to remain alert and be prepared to protect individual and collective rights.
It further exhorted the people to launch strong movements against various black laws being enforced in Manipur.