Merger agreement was made without the approval of Manipur Assembly: Dr Nimaichand
Commemoration function of 1st sitting of Manipur State Assembly held
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 18 2011: The commemoration function of the First Sitting of the Manipur State Assembly on October 18, 1948, after the British have left Manipur, was held at the MPP office complex today.

The function which was organized by the Manipur People's Party (MPP) was attended by Dr L Chandramani, former Deputy Chief Minister and Dr Nimaichand Luwang, President MPP as the Chief Guest and President of the function.

Ex Speaker, Dr Dhananjoy, Ex Minister L Jatra, Ex MLA Sobhakiran and General Secretary of MPP Jayenta were the Guest of Honour.

Delivering the Presidential speech, Dr Nimaichand Luwang said that Manipur was merged into the Indian Union with the then Manipur King Budhachandra singning the agreement.

There was no approval taken from the Manipur Assembly.

So, it is very vague as to whether the merger agreement can be accepted at all or not.

He further went on to say that Manipur was twice under foreign dominion and got independence two times.

No one has the right to take an inch of land from Manipur.

He said that it cannot be claimed that Manipur has progressed and developed just by constructing 2-3 market sheds, one flyover and the Capitol Project.

There has been no solution for the prolonged economic blockade on the national highways so far.

The MPP President expressed that the party felt sorry and ashamed when the Governor told them that blockades and bandhs in the state were normal affairs of the state.

He further said regardless of the validity of the controversial Merger Agreement, all the facilities should be given to Manipur like other states as the state is an integral part of India.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr.L Chandramani Singh, former Deputy Chief Minister said that Manipur State Assembly was constituted after it got independence from the British in 1947 and for the first time, election was also held in the following year.

He said that the first 50 MLAs of the state took oath by the then king Bodhchandra on this day (October 18 ) at the royal palace, now Palace Compound.

No one in the state remembers this nor bothers to remember the Chief Minister and his council of Ministers who were elected before the Merger Agreement, 1949 .

Alleging that Manipur was merged with the Indian Union only because of Congress Party of the state, the former Chief Minister said that the party provided three points to the then Government at the Centre in 1949, thereby giving the ground for the ultimate merger.

The three points explained that the king of Manipur could not protect the state, Law and order could not be maintained and Hijam Irabot was introducing communism in the state, and it would bring peace in Manipur if it was merged with India.

There was no approval taken from the 7 Ministers and other MLAs.

But in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, there was three consecutive Assembly sittings before they finally agreed to sign the agreement, he further informed.

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