PPAM greets New Year 2026, urges centre to end divisive policies and uphold Manipur’s Integrity

The People’s Progressive Alliance Manipur (PPAM) extended New Year greetings to the people of the state ahead of 2026 while strongly urging the Government of India to end what it described as divisive policies and to uphold democratic principles, the rule of law, and human rights in Manipur.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the alliance conveyed its greetings to all ethnic communities of Manipur, including Meitei, Naga, Kuki, Meitei-Pangal and other groups, stating that they share a common cultural heritage and collective destiny. The alliance said the New Year was a moment to honour the resilience, dignity, and continued pursuit of peace and justice by the people of Manipur, even amid what it described as profound political and constitutional challenges.
While wishing peace, prosperity, and harmony, the People’s Progressive Alliance Manipur said it unequivocally called upon the Government of India to abandon longstanding and escalating policies that it claimed had deepened divisions within the state. The alliance maintained that governance in Manipur had witnessed a serious deterioration since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, leading to deep fractures in society and administration.
According to the statement, armed militias and groups operating under Suspension of Operations agreements with Indian authorities have disrupted normal civic life. It alleged that these groups have imposed checkpoints along national highways, restricting free movement, threatening civilian safety, and reportedly extorting motorists, traders, and transport operators. The alliance stated that such conditions had undermined public confidence and contributed to continued instability, particularly along key transport corridors.
The alliance further criticised the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13, 2025, stating that the move resulted in the Government of India assuming direct administrative control through the Governor. It said this centralisation of decision-making had distanced governance from the people of Manipur at a time when democratic leadership and community-based solutions were urgently required. Despite repeated assurances of restoring peace, the alliance claimed that armed presence, illegal extortion, and insecurity continued to persist across the state.
Placing its demands in a broader constitutional context, the People’s Progressive Alliance Manipur asserted that Manipur possessed a distinct constitutional and political identity prior to its merger with India. The statement recalled that Manipur was a sovereign political entity with its own constitution under the Manipur State Constitution Act of 1947, which established a democratic assembly and executive government. It maintained that this constitutional arrangement remained in force until the controversial merger process of 1949.
The alliance alleged that the signing of the Manipur Merger Agreement on September 21, 1949, took place without popular consent and without a referendum among the people of Manipur. It further claimed that the Instrument of Accession did not dissolve Manipur’s sovereignty, leading to continuing legal debates over the applicability and legitimacy of constitutional provisions imposed thereafter. Citing principles of international law, the statement argued that territorial integrity and political status could not be altered without the free consent of the people concerned.
The alliance also stated that memoranda had been submitted by it and allied civil society organisations to constitutional authorities, reiterating that Manipur’s territorial integrity and historical sovereignty must be respected. It contended that constitutional provisions allowing the reorganisation of state boundaries could not be applied retroactively to Manipur without democratic legitimacy.
Calling for immediate corrective measures, the People’s Progressive Alliance Manipur urged the Government of India to ensure free, secure, and unrestricted movement along all national highways, to protect civilians from coercion, extortion, and violence, and to refrain from empowering armed groups as de facto authorities under the guise of peace agreements. It said such steps were essential for restoring democratic governance and rebuilding trust in the constitutional order.
As Manipur prepares to enter the New Year, the alliance appealed to all communities to embrace peace, unity, and mutual respect, stating that the state’s strength lay in its multi-ethnic and plural character. It also called for humanitarian support for all internally displaced persons to enable their safe and dignified return.
Reaffirming its commitment to justice, democracy, and fundamental rights, the People’s Progressive Alliance Manipur said lasting peace could be achieved only through accountability, respect for legal norms, and genuine dialogue among all stakeholders.