First sitting of the 1st Assembly held in 1948 widely observed ‘Understand proxy war’

IMPHAL, Oct 18: The Coalition for Indigenes Right Campaign (CIRCA) observed Manipur National Day at Manipur Press Club here today in commemoration of the first sitting of the first Manipur Legislative Assembly held on October 18, 1948.
Speaking at the function, CIRCA president Somorendro Thokchom said that the war being waged by Kuki narco-terrorists against indigenous Meitei people is far more complicated than the Anglo-Manipuri War and the Seven Years Devastation.
He said that CIRCA has been observing Manipur National Day since 2015 with the primary objective of informing the public what kind of a country Manipur was.
“We need to look back at how Manipur existed in the past and study its situation after it was merged into the Indian Union”, Somorendro said.
Forgetting the common interests of Manipur, people are pushing for separate agenda of their respective communities. As a result, Manipuri society is now highly  fragmented, he said.
He said that the Government of India has been using illegal immigrants in its efforts to suppress insurgency.
The current crisis is an outcome of India’s efforts to destroy the integrity of Manipur.
“Our leaders need to be courageous, resourceful and capable,” he said.
At the moment, the State Government is unable to point out that India’s influence gave birth to the present crisis.
Had there been no Meira Paibi movement, Manipur could have fallen into a much greater trouble, he remarked.
The contributions of Meira Paibis at different critical phases are highly commendable.
“It is now very clear that the sustained aggression of the Kuki narco-terrorists against Meitei people is being supported by India and it is aimed at conquering and occupying our land”, Somorendro said.
“It is a proxy war. We must think and act collectively instead of pulling each other down and seeking one upmanship”, he continued.
WASEDEV president RK Tharaksana said that observation of the Manipur National Day is necessary considering its historical significance.
Though small, Manipur existed as an independent Nation. Manipur will definitely see revolutionary changes when people realise the historical facts and the present reality, she said.
The ruling elites are only dancing to the tune of the Centre. They think very little for the people, Tharaksana asserted.
Retired IAS officer Dr RK Nimai  said that in 1948 there was no such thing like you can vote but you cannot contest elections.
Maharaj Bodhchandra’s speech at the first sitting of the first Manipur Legislative Assembly vividly reflected the idea of future Manipur.
People experienced the real meaning of democracy even though it was quite short, Dr Nimai said.
IKAL president Naorem Memma Leima and CIRCA vice president Longjam Ratankumar too attended the observation.