CIRCA observes 'Manipur National Day'

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 18 : To commemorate the first session of elected State Assembly of Manipur held at Manipur State Durbar Hall on October 18, 1948, Coalition for Indigenous Right Campaign (CIRCA), Manipur observed 'Manipur National Day' at Kwakeithel Girls' High School today.
The observation programme was attended by CIRCA's president, Thokchom Somorjit; vice president Longjam Ratan; president of LKKL, Puyam Joy and advisor of IKAL, Naorem Amumacha as presidium members.
The function recalled the formation of one of the first democratic forms of Government in South East Asia after the passage of Manipur State Constitution Act 1947.
The election of 53 representatives was conducted on the basis of universal adult franchise on June 11 and July 27 and the inaugural session of the democratically elected Government of Manipur was held at State Durbar Hall, the members recalled.
It makes all proud that Manipur was once a sovereign Nation having a democratically elected Government fit enough to make policies well before the Indian Constitution came into being, the speakers said.
The members however expressed regret over incidents including contentious signing of Treaty of Accession on September 21, 1949 which forced Manipur to lose its political status.
Migration issue, human rights violation, imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, exploitation of minerals and divide between communities has plagued the State following the accession, the CIRCA president said.
He said that CIRCA and people of Manipur have been demanding fulfilment of the conditions listed in the instrument of accession signed on August 11, 1947, till now.
Thokchom Somorjit also stressed on the importance of making the coming generations aware of such a significant day in the history of Manipur.