Campaign for restoration of pre-merger status concludes; Flag used in Independent Manipur hoisted

Month-long campaign for restoration of pre-merger political status of Manipur under the initiative of the Coalition for Indigenous Rights Campaign (CIRCA) concluded today. On the last day awareness campaign about the need for restoration of the pore-merger political status for Manipur were held at various places including Khurai Lamlong, Nambol, Oinam and Moirang Ningthou leirak by CIRCA in association with clubs and meira Paibi organization of the respective area.
At the campaign held at Khurai Lamlong Bazar , titular King of Manipur Leishemba Sanajoaba attended as the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion Leishemba stressed on the need for restoration of the pre-merger status for Manipur as the state has been moving backward after its merger with the Indian Uion.
Coincidentally, today is the day when the first Manipur Legislative Assembly was formed in 1948. 
“Today is an important day in the history of Manipur as today is the day when the first Manipur Legislative Assembly was held in 1948”, Leishemba Sanajaoba said.
 He further added that when Manipur merged to India there are lots of expectation and promises given to the people of Manipur. But Manipur continues to move backwards in every field beside losing the its territorial boundary like Kabaw Valley among others since its mergers to the Indian Union in 1949.
Expressing dissatisfaction to the ignorance of the public to the ongoing agitation by Irom Chanu Sharmila, Leishaemba said that people of the state were killed and maim under the draconian act AFSPA at which Irom Chanu Sharmila has been demanding for repealed of it.
Leishemba Sanajaoba also blamed the merger as the outcome of the present crisis between various ethnic communities of the state.
“Hills and Valley people which have been living together peacefully since time immorial has been divided into various groups after the merger of the erstwhile kingdom to the Indian Union”, Leishemba said. 
Sanajaoba further said that the campaign for restoration of pre-merger status of the state is not anti-national as it is for the protection of the people of the state.
At the campaign held at Keishamthong Moirangningthou Leirak, Member of CIRCA, Angamba said that they merger agreement signed between the then King of Manipur Maharajah Bodhachandra and the representatives of the Indian Union on September 21, 1949 at Shillong is not an acceptable agreement as it was done under threat.
CIRCA also hoisted a flag called “Malem Puba Paphal” at Sana Janmasthan Club Hall of Keishamthong Moirangningthou Leirak.
Angamba said that the flag was hoisted in free Manipur when the Manipur Legislative Assembly was first held after British left the erstwhile kingdom..
“From this day onwards, people of Manipur and CIRCA demands to implement pre-merger political status in Manipur and people’s representative and people’s parliament representing all the ethnic group of Manipur”, Angamba added.
The flag was hosted by Thangjam Dhaneshori Devi, Ex-Counselor, Keishanthong at Sana Janmasthan Club Hall, Keishathong Moirangningthou Leirak.
Aheibam Meira Paibi, Laishom Leirak Meira Paibi and Moirangningthou Leirak Meira Paibi attended the function.