Civil societies commemorate Manipur's first democratic Govt
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 18 2024: United People's Front (UPF), National Identity Protection Council (NIP-CO), and Manipur Peace and Integrity (MAPI) Council jointly commemorated the day when the first democratic republic government in Manipur was formed on October 18, 1948 .

The observance function was held on Friday at Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU) auditorium, Yaiskul Police Lane, here with UPF president Nongthombam Rupachan-dra, NIPCO president Oinam Premjit, MAPI Council president KC Romeo, and United Committee Manipur (UCM) president YK Dhiren as the presidium members while UPF advisor L Jadumani and Manipur University, law department head Dr Yumnam Premananda were the resource persons.

Speaking at the event, NIPCO president Oinam Premjit highlighted how Manipur was a sovereign nation, having framed its own constitution and elected a democratic government after the British left.

However, despite this, Manipur was merged into the Union of India, leading to a series of unwanted incidents in the state since then.

He also expressed concerns over the ongoing crisis in the state, lamenting that even after 18 months, the Government of India has not resolved the situation.

Premjit stated that the people of Manipur are treated as if they are not citizens of the country since the merger, which continues to contribute to the state's suffering.

In his address, MAPI Council general secretary Moirangthem Neta said that the state finds itself at a critical juncture in the current situation.

"Despite the end of monarchy, true equality remains elusive, and the question of whether the people enjoy real freedom persists".

He drew a parallel between the current state of affairs and the Seven Years Devastation, during which people had to follow the rule of the Awa King.

"Today, people are still seeking external support for various matters, which is an unfortunate reflection of the present situation," Neta lamented, reminiscing the time when Manipur had its own constitution and a democratically elected government.

Meanwhile, Coalition for Indigenes' Rights Campaign (CIRCA), Manipur president Somorendro Thokchom alleged that the central government has been supporting Kuki narco-terrorists throughout the conflict, which broke out in the state on May 3 last year.

On Friday, CIRCA observed Manipur National Day at Manipur Press Club, to commemorate the first session of the first Manipur Legislative Assembly of an independent Manipur on October 18, 1948.Speaking on the occasion, Somorendro recounted that Manipur once used to be an independent, sovereign nation and the day is being observed to remember how it was the first nation in Southeast Asia to uphold universal adult franchise.

Previously, the observance was regarded as an anti-national activity.

However, there is nothing to be upset about in remembering the former sovereignty and independence of a nation.

Terming it anti-national is just being narrow-minded, he remarked.

Somorendro continued that Manipur is now unable to even hold on to the status of a state, with the society facing gradual disintegration.

The strong love and bonds between the hills and valley is such that one cannot cross Sekmai.

It needs to be discussed who caused this situation, he said, while lamenting that a land with over two thousand years of history has been reduced to such a deplorable state.

Stating that time has come for the state government to declare that the conflict had been engineered by India, he remarked that the central government had been backing the Kuki narco-terrorists since the beginning of the conflict.

This conflict is far more serious and gruesome than the Seven Years' Devastation incident, he said.

"If one is afraid, nothing can be done.

The society is bound to disappear in absence of a bold government," he said, and urged for concerted efforts in protecting the territorial integrity and unity of the state.

The observance was ales attended by retired IAS Dr RK Nimai, WASADEV president RK Tharaksana, IKAL president Naorem Memma and CIRCA vice president Longjam Ratankumar as presidium members.

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