Dissent over delimitation issue marks tribute event
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, April 06 2025: Floral tributes were offered as a mark of respect to both known and unknown Manipuri forefathers who paid down their lives for the motherland during the Anglo- Manipuri War of 1891 at Thoubal Athokpam battle -ground, during a function held at Koubiliya Makhong Lampak (Tengol Lampak) in Thoubal Athokpam, on Sunday.

The tribute event held as part of the series of function organised by Justice Committee on Anglo-Manipuri War, 1891, Martyrs and Freedom Fighters of Kangleipak (Manipur), was attended by Khangabok MLA Surjakumar Okram and Justice Committee chairman Joychandra Konthoujam as chief guest and president respectively while retired IPS Sarangthem Khoiranthaba (Manaobi), Sanakhaya Yaiskullakpa's grandson RK Pralhada, DLCYC Club, Athokpam president Dr L Romendro and AIGA Club, Athokpam president Thongam Marjit were the guests of honour.

The function began with rituals at the Arong River, after which attendees offered floral tributes at the memorial tombs located at Tengol Lampak.

A two-minute silence was also observed as a mark of respect and prayer for the departed souls with shawls presented to the great-grandchildren of the martyrs in recognition of their ancestors' sacrifices.

Delivering the presidential speech, Joychandra Konthoujam recounted that Sangoisana sacrificed his life for the motherland during the Anglo Manipuri War of 1891 at the Thoubal Athokpam battlefield.

In addition, 20 brave soldiers also laid down their lives on the bridge over the Arong River at the hands of the British.

Speaking bn the upcoming delimitation exercise in the state, he asserted that all MLAs should be held accountable for any untoward incidents that may arise from the planned realignment of electoral constituencies and the imposition of the draconian law, AFSPA.

He further said that the Supreme Court s directive to carry out delimitation exercise in the north-eastern states of Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur should be deferred in case of Manipur as there is consensus in the state that the 2001 census report cannot be the basis for the said exercise, in case certain anomalies are not rectified.

The report shows abnormally high decadal population growth in certain areas, some exceeding 100 percent compared to previous censuses.

As such, conducting the delimitation exercise on the said census data is not justifiable, the chairman maintained.

Joychandra also said that the people of the state are not opposed to the delimitation process itself, but insisting that the said process must be carried out with the ut most accuracy.

Taking into account that large number of outsiders and illegal immigrants have entered the state from across the border, the delimitation process should only take place after these individuals are properly identified through implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), he reasoned.

Joychandra demanded that till the illegal immigrants from Myanmar who have been issued Aadhaar cards on the sly and included in the electoral roll of Manipur, are not removed, the delimitation exercise should not proceed.

If the process is carried out forcefully against the wishes of the people, the Government of India must bear full responsibility for any untoward incidents that may occur as a result, he warned.

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