Crisis situation discussed at National Day observance
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, October 18 2023: Manipur National Day Celebration Committee on Wednesday observed the 76th Manipur National Day at Irum Ningthou Ikop Laikol community hall, Papal to commemorate the first session of Manipur Assembly conducted on October 18, 1948 following government formation through election based on universal adult franchise held on June 11 and July 27, 1948 after Manipur got inde pendence from the British.

As part of the observance, a public meeting was held to discuss the present crisis in the state and adopted various resolutions.

The observance was attended by social & cultural activist Ningthoucha Lancha, UFO secretary Y Meiraba, UCORECH representative Islam Makakcha, Hijam Linthoingambi's father H Kullajit.

& aunt Okram (o) Bimola Devi, Phijam Hemanjit's father Ph Ibungobi, SKL chairman L Gopal, Committee on Protection of Meetei Victims, Moreh chairman L Inaocha, Joint Committee on Affected Meetei Victims, Manipur chairman Kh Ratan and Lukmai Shellup representative Asem Nirmala, among others as members of the dais.

Speaking on the occasion, organising committee member and public meeting moderator Ningthoucha Lancha described October 18 as an important day for Manipuris considering the political dilemma the state is presently facing now.

Manipur was a sovereign monarchy before being brought under British colonial rule.

It got its freedom from British on August 14,1947 and as per the Manipur Constitution Act, 1947 passed in 1947, elections were held in June and July 1948 with the first Manipur Assembly held on October 18, 1948, he added.

The day was a historic moment as it realised the dream of democracy of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot and Manipur became the first democratic country not only in South Asia but also in South East Asia, he said, while lamenting that Manipur today is filled with undesirable incidents as the historic day was overlooked after Manipur was forcibly merged into India on September 21, 1949.Lancha confided that discussion meetings will be held under 'Warep Tha' campaign and launch of agitations to implement the resolutions adopted in these public meetings from November 3 onwards, the day when the ethnic conflict will complete six months.

On the other hand, Linthoingambi and Hemanjit's parents expressed their desire for finding bodies of their children for performing the last rites and organising a public search at Joujangtek village to recover their bodies.

The observance was participated by thousands of people from various parts of the state.

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