President urged to restore democratic governance, uphold integrity
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 05 2025: A joint delegation of 15 civil Society organisations (CSOs) of Manipur on Wednesday submitted memorandum to President of India Droupadi Murmu, urging immediate restoration of a popular democratic government that can safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur, and resolve the ongoing humanitarian crisis plaguing the state since May 3, 2023 .

The urgent need for intervention from the highest constitutional authority of the country was underscored in the memorandum signed by 15 organisations, including All India Tanzeem-E Insaaf-Manipur (AITI-M), 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 (FESOK), Federation of Indigenous People's Democratic Movement (FIDM), Kanglei People Against Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances (Kanglei Panas), Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC), Meetei/Meitei Tribe Union (MMTU), Nupi Union for Peace and Integrity (NUPI), United Meitei Pangal Committee (UMPC), Yelhoumee Phurup (YP), and Youth Collective Manipur (YCM).

Highlighting Manipur's ancient history and sovereign status, the memorandum recalled that the kingdom of Manipur, with a monarchy dating back to 33 CE, exercised full sovereignty until its forced annexation in 1949 .

The representatives emphasised that Manipur had its own democratic governance under the Manipur Constitution Act, 1947, after regaining independence on August 14,1947, a day ahead of India's.However, the signing of the Manipur Merger Agreement on September 21, 1949, under duress by Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh at Shillong, without the consent of the State Legislative Assembly or the people, remains a legally contentious issue.

They asserted that the agreement, executed between two independent entities before the Indian Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, led to Manipur's forced integration on October 15, 1949, triggering armed political movements opposing the annexation.

The memorandum stressed the immediate necessity of restoring democratic governance in Manipur following the imposition of President's Rule.

Despite the BJP holding an absolute majority in the state assembly, no new CM has been appointed, resulting in a constitutional crisis.

The CSOs demanded the reinstatement of a popularly elected government, restoration of legislative authority to elected representatives, and an end to political uncertainty to resolve the humanitarian and law-and-order crisis in the state.

Drawing attention to the inviolability of Manipur's territorial integrity under international law, the memorandum stressed that the Manipur Merger Agreement reaffirmed Manipur's sovereign status before its annexation.

Citing the principle of Uti Possidetis Juris, recognised by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), they argued that the pre-colonial territorial boundaries of a former sovereign state remain unchanged upon decolonisation unless altered through a legal referendum.

The signatories asserted that Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers Parliament to alter state boundaries, cannot be applied to Manipur, as the state had its own constitution before the Indian Constitution came into force.

They cautioned that any attempt to alter Manipur's territorial boundaries would constitute an act of aggression, violating both historical facts and international law, and urged the government to uphold its obligations under the United Nations Charter.

The memorandum further highlighted the grave humanitarian crisis in Manipur, with over 60,000 people displaced, scores missing, and thousands of homes, places of worship, and public institutions destroyed.

The representatives called for the safe and dignified resettlement of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) with full state protection, swift and comprehensive rehabilitation efforts, and the deployment of central forces to restore law and order.

They also urged the President to direct the union government to ensure the opening of national highways, particularly those connecting Manipur to Dimapur and Moreh, to facilitate the free movement of people and essential commodities, thereby preventing economic strangulation.

The delegation strongly recommended the issuance of a Presidential Order affirming the inviolability of Manipur's territorial integrity, ensuring that no alterations are made under Article 3 of the Constitution.

They also urged for a special provision in the Indian Constitution recognising Manipur's historical sovereignty and unique constitutional status before 1949, and demanded that no external or political interference disrupts the territorial unity of Manipur.

Additionally, the memorandum raised concerns over the protection of village volunteers (Khun Ngakpa), stating that they are not anti-national but a creation of the failure of both the central and state governments to protect civilians and public infrastructure from "Kuki aggression" .

In their appeal, the signatories urged the President to take decisive action to restore democratic governance, safeguard Manipur's territorial integrity, address the humanitarian crisis, and protect the rights of its people.

They expressed hope that the President, as the guardian of the Constitution, would uphold the principles of democracy, justice, and peace to ensure stability and unity in the state.

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