Manipur broken apart long back: Prof Joykumar
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 18 2024: Territorial integrity of Manipur might not be distorted and remain intact but Manipur has been broken apart long time back, stated retired MU professor Naorem Joykumar.

Professor Joykumar stated this at the National Democracy Day observed by Indigenous People's Organisation Manipur (IPOM) under the motto 'For a common political future' at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound on Friday.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, professor Naorem Joykumar said the first ever session of the Manipur assembly held on October 18, 1948 with participation of representatives elected through universal adult franchise from both the hills and valley signified integrity of Manipur.

According to professor Joykumar, Manipur's civilisation was developed by the collective efforts of ethnic tribes including the Meetei and there was no Naga or Kuki nomenclature in the past.

As time passed, Naga, Kuki and Meetei were classified as major communities of Manipur with Centre enthusiastically feasting on the classification by singling out the legislators as Naga, Kuki and Meetei MLAs instead of referring them collectively as MLAs of Manipur.

It is very unfortunate that people of Manipur have been dancing at the tune of the Centre, he said.

While asserting that mainland Indians want to suppress the Meetei as the community despite its smallness excels in the held of culture, sports and education, and outperforms mainland Indians in diverse fields, professor Joykumar said the ongoing violence has given more opportunity to them to suppress the Meetei.

Emerging youth of the state are now unable to continue education and state's economy has worsened irredeemably, he cautioned.

Manipur was merged into India on October 15, 1949 but both Naga and Kuki who took part in development of the Manipur civilization post the merger are now demanding separation.

The reason behind the demand for separation by both the Naga and Kuki communities should be minutely scrutinised and discussed thoroughly, he said while reiterating that the present-day Manipuri society has split though territorial integrity remains intact.

While asserting that Meetei being major community needs to shoulder immense responsibility in forging unity and protecting integrity of Manipur, professor Joykumar said the Meeteis should accept its mistakes in the past and must rectify the same with sincerity and clarity.

He also stressed the need for improving economic, cultural and political relations among ethnic communities to bring back unity and integrity of hills and valley of Manipur.

The observance function was also attended by retired IAS officer RK Nimai, MU professor Priyoranjan, MU law department head Dr Yumnam Premananda and Meetei/Meitei Tribe Union representative M Churamani as resource persons.

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