Guwahati: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a coalition of civil society organisations in the state, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting that Manipur be granted ‘Special Political Status.’
COCOMI co-ordinator L Ratankumar said that it is the main wish of COCOMI and the people of Manipur to preserve the territorial integrity of the state, which has a unique dynastic history spanning over 2000 years, during a press conference on Monday at the office of United Committee Manipur (UCM), Lamphelpat.
Manipur had always existed as an independent and sovereign kingdom in South-East Asia, with the exception of the Seven Years of Devastation that occurred before to the Anglo-Manipuri War in 1891.
He went on to say that when the kingdom was annexed by India on October 15, 1949, the people of Manipur were never consulted.
There were no political ties between Manipur and India prior to the merger.
Manipur did not become a state for a long time, and as a Part-C state, it was placed under the control of a chief commissioner.
After a protracted fight and agitation by the people, the territory council and territorial assembly were established, and Manipur was granted statehood.
“At the time the Indian Constitution was being drafted, no delegates from Manipur were present, preventing the incorporation of Manipur’s social and cultural components.”
This has unintentionally resulted in a slew of challenges and issues in the state presently.
The Constitution’s articles and clauses are incapable of resolving the state’s problems.
Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution, for example, allow for the entrance or foundation of new states as well as the formation or modification of existing Indian states, which contradicts Manipur’s demand for the preservation of its territorial integrity.
Non-resolution of the Indo-Myanmar border issue, public demand for the repeal of AFSPA, limiting the entrance of outsiders into the state, and other issues are examples.
COCOMI fully feels that the demand for ‘Special Political Status’ is justifiable to settle all of these difficulties in light of the state’s political history,” Ratankumar said, adding that a memorandum in this regard had been sent to the PM through e-mail on January 19.
He further added that COCOMI will work hard to ensure the demand for ‘Special Status’ is fulfilled.