ASUK declares total shutdown on Jan 26
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 23 2025: The Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak (ASUK) has called a total shutdown all over Manipur from 6 am to 4 pm on January 26 .

The total shutdown would not cover electricity, water supply, medical services, emergency services, religious functions and education, ASUK informed through a press release issued by its Publicity Committee.

January 26 is a big and proud day for the people of India as it became a republic on this day in 1950 but the day marked the imposition of alien rule for the people of Manipur, ASUK said.

Manipur had become a democratic Government on July 1, 1947 even before the British rulers left Manipur on August 14, 1947.The king had relinquished all political powers and his position was reduced to a 'Constitutional Head', it said.

The first sitting of the Manipur Assembly (Parliament) elected through adult franchise was held on October 18, 1948 .

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Manipur Assembly, Maharaj Bodhchandra said, "....I had transferred my powers and responsibilities other than those of Constitutional ruler to the State Council since July 1, 1947 before the lapse of the British paramountcy and since then I have already remained as Constitutional ruler," ASUK quoted.

Thus the transformation of Manipur into a democratic country took place much before India.

Yet, India forcibly annexed Manipur on October 15, 1949 and the democratic, responsible Govern- ment was abolished (Manipur Administrative Order, 1949, clause 7) .

Then former Dewan (India's Ambassador to Manipur) Rawal Amar Singh was appointed as the Chief Commissioner and he was made the absolute ruler of Manipur like a dictator, it alleged.

Such States ruled under dictatorship were then known as Part C State and it was utter humiliation of Manipur, it said.

From 1952 to 1957, the Chief Commissioner ruled Manipur like a dictator.

From 1957 to 1963, Manipur was ruled by an Administrator appointed by the President of India and the Administrator was assisted by a Territorial Council.

This is what is known as 'Union Territory without Legislature', ASUK said.

From 1963 to 1972, Manipur was ruled by a Union Territorial Assembly formed by 32 MLAs (including two nominated by the President of India).

This is what is known as 'Union Territory with Legislature' .

Manipur became a State of India only in 1972.The history of Manipur from being a Part C State to a full fledged State is a history of collective struggle characterised by blood, sweat, arrests and detention, it said.

It remains a big question as to why India, despite being a Hindu country, oppressed the people of Manipur majority of whom are Hindus for so long.

Only the Indian people would be knowing the answer to this question, ASUK said.

Even though it has been 53 years since Manipur became a full fledged State, Manipur still remains a colony and the State is being ruled under an unseen dictatorship, it alleged.

Manipur Legislative Assembly achieved after 23 years of people's sustained struggle held a session which lasted for just 10 minutes.

The Chief Minister is unable to sack his two Ministers even as the two Ministers and five ruling MLAs have been openly demanding a Separate Administration, it said.

The Chief Minister who is also in charge of the Home Department stated in public that he was not receiving intelligence reports for 15 months.

It was the Chief Minister who appointed a Security Advisor and made the Security Advisor Chairman of the Unified Command.

Again, the Chief Minister submitted a written appeal to the Governor to make him Chairman of the Unified Command.

Overstepping the State Government, the Governor even held a security review meeting with top security officers and advised the security officers to book miscreants under NSA.

The CM has become a puppet of the Centre and the same is true for all the MLAs, ASUK alleged.

When a woman was killed in a violent attack accompanied by bombing from drone at Koutruk , the Chief Minister set out to enquire about the attack but he turned around mid-way just because someone from Delhi asked him over telephone not to go, it remarked.

It alleged that the Centre is ruling Manipur through the State Government as its puppets.

People of Manipur are colonised people and Manipur is a colony of India while the political system seen in Manipur is colonialism, it alleged.

The ongoing conflict between Kuki and Meetei is not a communal conflict.

Without India's patronage, Kukis would not be able to attack Meeteis for so long, it alleged.

ASUK asserted that a single word from India would be enough to stop the Kuki offensive.

The people of Manipur must survive and they must resist the alleged colonial rule, it said and added, "We must be subjects, not objects".

It added that the people of Manipur must not participate in the Republic Day celebration of India.

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