CorCom calls shutdown Oct 15 to protest merger
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 10 2021: As part of the 'National Black Day' which is observed every year against the forcible merger of Manipur (Kangleipak) into the Indian Union in 1949, the proscribed Coordination "Committee has imposed total shutdown on October 15, the day Manipur Merger Agreement came into effect after the then king Bodhchandra was coerced to sign on the 'treacherous and premeditated merger document at Shillong on September 21,1949 by imperialist India' .

The shutdown effective from 6am to 6pm of October 15 will not cover movement/activities related with medical, fire, media and religious event, the conglomerate of underground groups operating in Manipur informed and appealed to people to support the 'National Black Day' observance by ceasing business activities, institutional services, movement on roads, sports and entertainment activities on that day.

Announcing imposition the shutdown in a statement issued by its media coordinator M Sak-hen, CorCom recalled that Manipur remained as an independent Asiatic kingdom in Western South East Asia (WESEA) with its own written Constitution till its defeat at the hands of the British in the Anglo-Manipuri War, 1891 and then became as Protectorate state under British Empire till 1947 .

However, Manipur and other princely states regained sovereign independent status after the lapse of British suzerainty as per the Indian Independence Act, 1947 (IIA).

Accordingly, Manipur had its own Constitution and self-administered as an independent nation but Indian expansionist policy began to suppress the sovereign independent state.

The then Dominion of India violated norms existed among independent nations of the globe and annexed Manipur (Kangleipak) on October 15, 1949 .

Both the annexation and merger into India were opposed by the people and challenged.

While all the MLAs elected from the hills of Manipur (Kangleipak) opposed the annexation on July 29,1949, a mammoth public meeting held on August 3, 1949 unanimously resolved and sent a representation to Prime Minister of India that Manipur cannot be annexed.

Against the celebration of Indian Independence Day on August 15, 1949, the then Students' Federation led by ex-minister Leiren raised black flag.

Again, on August 25,1949, all the ruling members (MLAs) of Manipur Assembly unanimously resolved against occupation of Manipur by India and informed the same to the then deputy Prime Minister of India.

Armed movement by Manipur Communist Party since 1948 led by Hijam Irabot, unarmed movement by Sagolsem Indramani and Manipur Nationalist Party leader Yangmaso Shaiza, who later became the chief minister of Manipur, along with the people openly declared that Manipur was an independent state and Manipur Merger Agreement was unacceptable.

People of Manipur (Kangleipak) have been openly challenging the Indian annexation before the international community since early part of 1960 till date.

However, some scholars of imperialist India including some from Kangleipak who deeply believed in Indian ethos claimed that Manipur had already merged to India before annexation on September 21, 1949 as per Instrument of Accession signed on August 11, 1947 while some people considered Manipur as part of India since the time of god.

As per Section 7 (1) (b) of Indian Independence Act, 1947, Manipur (Kangleipak) and other princely states regained sovereign status due to lapse of British suzerainty and Article 2 (1) of the UN Charter put Manipur (Kangleipak) and India at the same level.

As per Article 56 and 57 of Manipur Constitution, the locus of the power lies first with the Maharajah in council, the state council at second and the third at the assembly which gave advice.

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