CSOs urge Governor to reinstate popular Govt
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 20 2025: As many as 16 organisations, including civil society groups and student bodies, have urged Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to swiftly restore a popular democratic government in the state, and take urgent measures to ensure peace, security, and the preservation of the state's territorial integrity.

The deepening political and humanitarian crisis in Manipur following the imposition of President's Rule merits immediate intervention to address the prevailing instability, said a memorandum jointly signed by the organisations, including All India Tanzeem-E Insaaf (AITI), All Manipur Democratic Students' Organisation (AMDSO), All Manipur Meitei Pangal Clubs' Organisation (AMMPACO), Apunba Awonba Manipur Amagidamak (AAMA), Committee of Peaceful Coexistence, Manipur (CPCM), Committee on Relief & Rehabilitation (CRR), Federal Students' Organisation, Kangleipak, Federation of Indigenous People's Democratic Movemen, Imagi Meira (IM), Kanglei People Against Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances, Manipur International Youth Centre, Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union, Nupi Union For Peace and Integrity, United Meitei Pangal Committee, Yelhoumee Phurup (YP), and Youth Collective Manipur.

Tracing the historical and political background, the memorandum asserted that Manipur has remained one of the oldest surviving political entities in Asia with a recorded history spanning over two millennia.

"After regaining independence on August 14, 1947, Manipur adopted a democratic government under the Manipur Constitution Act, 1947, the first democratic constitution in South and Southeast Asia," it continued, while highlighting that Manipur was annexed into the Dominion of India through the Merger Agreement signed under duress by the then King of Manipur in Shillong, without the consent of the Manipur State Legislative Assembly.

The organisations argued that legality of the agreement remains questionable under the international law.

Expressing concern over the current political situation, the memorandum highlighted the resignation of chief minister N Biren Singh and the subsequent imposition of President's Rule which, they claim, has deepened the political vacuum and constitutional crisis.

Despite BJP commanding a majority, the party failed to appoint a new chief minister, the memorandum rued, terming the same as political cowardice and disregard for democratic governance.

Maintaining that President's Rule under Article 356 is meant to be a temporary measure, they demanded that an elected government be restored immediately to address the ongoing crisis.

While acknowledging the Governor's experience as Union Home secretary for five years, and Commending his expertise in national security and governance, the organisations urged him to recommend to the President of India for the immediate installation of a popular democratic government in the state, stating that prolonged central rule will only aggravate the crisis.

The memorandum also drew the attention to the humanitarian crisis in the state since May 3, 2023, which has resulted in the deaths of over 250 people, with 31 missing and nearly 60,000 displaced from their ancestral homes and called for proactive peace negotiations involving all stakeholders, the safe and dignified resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs), enhanced security measures to restore confidence among affected communities, and strengthen governance at the grassroots level by engaging civil society and community leaders.

Highlighting the need to uphold Manipur's territorial integrity, the memorandum urged the Governor to inform the President of India about the legal status of the Manipur Merger Agreement, 1949."Since the agreement was signed between two independent countries - India and Manipur - before the enactment of the Indian Constitution on 26th January 1950, Manipur's territorial boundaries cannot be altered under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution," the organisations reiterated, stating that under the international legal doctrine of Uti Possidetis Juris, former colonies and princely states retain their pre-colonial territorial boundaries unless changed through a legal referendum.

Any attempt to alter Manipur's boundaries would violate international law and India's commitment to sovereignty, self-determination, and territorial integrity under the United Nations Charter, according to the organisations.

On the need for promoting communal harmony through cultural exchange programmes to bridge the divide among the communities, the CSOs proposed initiatives that encourage dialogue between different indigenous groups, promote traditional art, music, and literature celebrating Manipur's shared heritage, strengthen community-based conflict resolution mechanisms through cultural diplomacy, and create inter-community youth initiatives supported by the government.

Asserting that President's Rule cannot substitute democratic governance and that prolonging it will only weaken public faith in democracy, the organisations called upon the Governor to expedite the restoration of a popular government, actively engage in peace negotiations to facilitate the return of displaced communities, uphold Manipur's territorial integrity, and promote communal harmony through structured cultural programmes.

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