Talk on "Comrade Bira and Statehood Movement" held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22 2026: A talk on "Comrade Bira and Statehood Movement" marked Manipur's 55th Statehood Day at Irawat Bhavan, BT Road yesterday.

The event, organised by Biplabi Bira Birth Centenary Celebration Committee (2025-26), witnessed the attendance of Langol Iboyaima, chairman, State Control Commission, CPI Manipur and L Thoiren, former secretary, CPI, Manipur State Council as presidium members.

At the event, Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani, senior journalist Leihaothabam Sharatchandra, L Sotinkumar, former State secretary, CPI/MSC and Ksh Shanta, secretary, CPI (M) delivered lectures on today's topic "Comrade Bira and the Statehood Movement" .

The gathering also offered floral tributes before the photo of Comrade Bira.

Addressing the gathering, L Sotinkumar said Manipur gained statehood through a long political process.

The erstwhile sovereign kingdom was merged with India as a Part C State in 1949, then went on to become a Union Territory in 1956 and was finally granted full statehood on January 21, 1972 .

Thokchom Bira was a well-known, key communist leader and activist in the democratic and social movement during this period, said L Sotinkumar.

His contributions in the Statehood movement of Manipur is highly significant.

Bira contested in the first parliamentary election of 1952 from Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency on a CPI ticket.

Though he suffered a defeat in the election, he highlighted the pertinent demands for full statehood and inclusion of Manipuri language in the 8th Schedule in his election manifesto.

Despite attaining statehood, today Manipur is completely under the control of the Centre, maintained Sotinkumar.

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