CorCom announces total shutdown
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 10 2025: As in previous years, the CorCom has announced total shutdown all over Manipur (Kangleipak) from 6 am to 6 pm on October 15 .

The CorCom said that it has been observing October 15 as "National Black Day" every year.

A statement issued by the CorCom Publicity Committee, while appealing to all the people to support the total shutdown, said that the total shutdown would not cover medical services, emergency services, media and religious functions.

It said that certain critical questions arise when one talks about the merger of Manipur (Kangleipak) into the Indian Union in 1949 .

The political status of Manipur (Kangleipak) before 1947 cannot be classified as a colony and this was affirmed by colonial sources, Indian sources, local sources and independent sources.

There were certain differences between the British interpretation of native State and the Congress party's interpretation of the same term.

According to the Congress leaders, the native States were those which were under Mughal, Sikh and Maratha empires.

Manipur was never a part of any of these empires.

Manipur did not come under Sardar Patel's 'blood relation State' too.

the CorCom said.

If native State should be interpreted from the Congress' viewpoint, Manipur is a separate country like Burma and Sri Lanka.

In 1947, Manipur (Kangleipak) had its own Constitution and it Was not a part of British India.

On August 15, 1947, Manipur was not a part of either India or Pakistan and this was written in VP Menon's 'Integration of States' .

After signing the Standstill Agreement and Accession Treaty on August 11, 1947, Manipur became an associate State while defence, external affairs and communication were controlled by the Indian confederation.

Even after accession, Manipur (Kangleipak) had not lost its independence.

The Instrument of Accession says, "Nothing in this Instrument shall be deemed to commit me (king of Manipur/Kangleipak) in any way to acceptance of any future constitution of India or to fetter my discretion to enter into arrangements with Government of India under any such future constitution" .

Again, Clause 8 of the Instrument of Accession says, "Nothing in this Instrument affects the continuance of my sovereignty in and over this State or save as provided by or under this Instrument, the exercise of any powers, authority and rights now enjoyed by me a Ruler of this State", the CorCom quoted.

Manipur (Kangleipak) became a fully sovereign State on August 15, 1947 but its political status underwent a drastic change after it was merged into the Indian Union on October 15, 1949, it said.

The 'annexation' was vehemently opposed by the then elected Government, people of both the hills and the valley, political parties and the leftist movement.

Now several organisations have been waging an armed movement against the alleged annexation.

On the other hand, Instrument of Accession, Standstill Agreement and Indian Independence Act 1947 did not affect the independence of States.

The Instrument of Accession did not forfeit the continuity of a State.

The annexation of States by India was not accepted by the United Nations.

Even though no petition was filed at the UN Security Council against the annexation of Manipur (Kangleipak) by India, the UN made it clear that the annexation of Manipur (Kangleipak) violated international law, the CorCom said.

Moreover, the king of Manipur(Kangleipak) had relinquished all political powers including treatymaking powers to the elected Government at the time of signing the Merger Agreement and he was then just a figurehead.

One unforgettable event of the Merger Agreement was how the king was kept under house arrest and forced to sign the agreement under duress.

A telegram sent by Shri Prakash to Sardar Patel on September 18, 1949 said, "HH must not under any circumstances be allowed to return to Manipur with his advisors and I have accordingly instructed police to detain here his party if they attempt to return before signing of agreement" .

"Please telegraph immediately repeat immediately authority for detention of HH and advisors under Regulation III or by whatever other means you consider might be appropriate".

"Have already warned sub-areas to be prepared for any eventuality in Manipur (Kangleipak)", the CorCom quoted.

There is no reason to call the agreement legitimate signed by a king under duress and kept under house arrest who had then no treaty making powers, it asserted.

The annexation of Manipur (Kangleipak) is not acceptable as per the country's law and the international law.

Moreover.

Manipur still has the right to recover its lost sovereignty, the CorCom asserted.

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