Merger deal cited as conflict base
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 02 2011: The origin of Manipur-India conflict lies in the Merger Agreement, vice president of United Committee Manipur (UCM) Y Nabachandra has stated.

Speaking as one of the resource persons in the public meeting on 'Manipur-India conflict and public participation in resolution of the conflict' organised by Konthoujam Makha Apunba Meira Paibi Lup at the Pakhangba community hall of Konthoujam Makha Leikai today, Nabachandra asserted that Merger Agreement is at the root cause of the conflict between Manipur and India that has arisen from use of military force by India to suppress armed liberation movement in Manipur.

Announcing merger of Manipur with India by inviting the then king of Manipur Bodhchandra and forcing him to sign the Merger Agreement under duress could never be accepted.

Because, by that time, Bodhchandra was only a titular king with no political power, he said, adding that after Manipur regained its independence from the British on August 14, 1947, formation of Manipur Legislative Council had been officially announced on October 18, 1948 and a self-elected Government came into existence.

The then Ministers, Council of Ministers have also not been consulted at the time of signing the Merger Agreement, he said.

Endorsing participation of the people in resolving the ongoing conflict between Manipur and India, Nabachandra said a third party should be involved in the resolution of the conflict and that third party should be the people of Manipur.

So, there is the need on the part of the people to understand the issue thoroughly.

UPF president YK Dhiren, another resource person at the meeting, said that people of Manipur would continue to suffer until resolving the conflict.

So, the public need to shout in unison to demand resolution of the conflict along with their participation, he said.

Pradhan of Konthoujam GP Heisnam Manisana Singh and Konthoujam Makha Apunba Meira Paibi Lup president Kayenpaibam Tombi Devi were respectively chief guest and functional president of the meeting which was also attended by social workers Ashang Rongmei, Konthoujam Kuber Singh, member of Konthoujam GP Mangallei and member of Moidangpok GP Nganthoi as guests of honour.

At the end of the meeting, three resolutions endorsing participation of the people in the resolution of Manipur-India conflict, handing over all the cases related to armed revolutionary movements in Manipur to the State Govt and seeking the support of UN and other International human rights bodies towards resolution of the conflict.

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