Meet demands constitutional safeguard for Manipur
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 18 2023:
A one-day dialogue on "Idea of Manipur: A Historical Legacy of an Asiatic Civilisation, jointly organised by Manipur University, Centre for Human Rights and Duties Education, and Ojha Sanajaoba Memorial Trust (OSMT) at the conference hall of MU department of commerce on Monday has resolved to press the Central government for constitutional safeguard to Manipur and its people.
A panel of experts and participants engaged in extensive discussions on various sub-themes and the dialogue generated significant factual observations regarding Manipur's historical and political journey.
It observed that the political history of Manipur stands testament to its early state formation under King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in 33 AD, accompanied by early state constitutional practices in the 11th Century AD known as the 'Loyumba ShinyeL' Manipur accomplished modern state rationalisation in the 16th and 17th centuries AD, consolidating a distinct territorial state and gaining international recognition through agreements like the Anglo-Manipuri Defence Treaty-1762.The Manipur Merger Agreement signed on September 21, 1949 and the subsequent takeover of Ma nipur by the Union of India on October 15, 1949 masked a crucial transition, leading to the first elections under the Constitution of India in January 1952.Manipur's territorial integrity has been established for more than half a millennium, supported by historical maps and records dating back to 1500 AD.
Manipur was recognised as a "pre-exist-state" before the enforcement of India's Constitution on January 26,1950.The Constitution's 1st Schedule reflects Manipur as a re-established territory.
The dialogue also highlighted article 371(c) of the Constitution of India as potentially infringing upon the rights of the Meetei community in Manipur.
It further observed that the United Nations Charter's Article 2(4) emphasises the responsibility of nations, including India, to refrain from actions inconsistent with the territorial integrity of states like Manipur.
The Government of India was emphasised to have an international obligation, under the non-derogable uti possidetis juris (UPJ) to safeguard Manipur's historically evolved territorial integrity.
The Meetei-cognate tribes were acknowledged as an integral part of Manipuri history, and it was stressed that internal unity and peace should be maintained amidst various ethno-exclusive political movements.
The panel urged the Government of India for a constitutional guarantee to preserve the status-quo-ante of Manipur 's historically evolved and constitutionally re-established pre-existing state which involves restrictions on the applicability of Article 3 of the Constitution and rectification of Article 371C (1) & (2) to empower State Authority over the entire state and its population, considering the inherent politico-history, socioeconomic, and multi-ethnic cultural ethos of Manipur.
The panel session emphasised the need for a national commitment and consensus to address territorial issues and promote lasting peace in Manipur.
Earlier, while speaking as chief guest, MU vice-chancellor professor N Lokendra asserted that Manipur has its own civilisation with recorded history of geographical area, and maps in archives of different countries.
Late Oja Sanajaoba was a great person, who worked on giving a clear understanding of the economy, administration and civilisation of Manipur and history as well as lifestyles of the people of Manipur.
The VC comprehended the possible impact in administration and economy of Meetei community due to over emphasis on medical and engineering sector and called upon the younger generation study Ojha Sanajaoba's writings and work towards bringing a better future.
The first technical session was chaired by MU School of Human and Environmental Sciences former dean retired professor W Nabakumar while MU School of Humanities former dean and OSMT trustee retired professor Soyam Lokendrajit spoke on 'Idea of Manipur: Existentialist's view of a people of Manipur' as panellist.
MU School of Social Sciences former dean, retired professor N Joykumar chaired the second session.
Writer and columnist advocate Memo Laishram spoke on Constitution of India: To safeguard the status-quo-ante of Manipur'.
DM University law department head and LMS Law College principal Dr N Pramod, who is also a trustee of OSMT spoke on International status to the historically evolved state of Manipur'.
MU political science department's former head and OSMT trustee retired professor K Ibo presided over the function while MU Human Rights and Duties Education department's head and dean of social sciences professor Th Purnima attended as guest of honour.
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