Imphal, August 12 2010: Recalling that August 14, 1947 was the date on which Manipur regained its lost sovereignty from the British colonial rule, the proscribed Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) has lamented at how the newly regained sovereignty of Manipur was cut short by the Government of India with its treachery and haughtiness.

A statement issued by the outfit's Publicity Secretary T Leisemba said that Manipur was one of the powerful Nations in South East Asia since a very early period.

The kingdom adopted a written Constitution during the reign of king Loyumba (1074-1122) .

Even as Manipur was always envied by its neighbours and more powerful Nations, the valiant Manipuri people who were known for their lofty sense of patriotism were always ready to defend the country and they successfully protected the sovereignty of the Nation throughout history except for the brief period of Seven Years' Devastation.

But after the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, Manipur became and remained a colony of the British for 56 years.

Though Britain was the most powerful nation at the time, the Manipuri people did not surrender their sovereignty on a platter.

Hundreds and hundreds of Manipuris fought unto their last, fully knowing that their enemies were far more superior both in terms of strength and weapons.

Nevertheless, it was heartening to recall that many heroes like Paona, Heirangkhongja, Chinglensana, Yaiskullakpa, Sanggoisna, Wangkhei Meiraba, and hundreds of unknown soldiers fought unto their last and embraced death rather than surrender and live a life of servitude.

Many others like Koireng, Thangal, Charai Naga (Thangal), Niranjan Subedar, Pukhramba Kajao etc faced the guillotine without any remorse.

There were many resistance movements against the British colonial rule, some of the outstanding ones being the First Nupi Lan (1904), Thoubal Lan (1912), Khongjai Lan (1917-19), Jadonang Movement (starting from 1921), Second Nupi Lan (1939) and Hijam Irabot's Movement (1934).On the eve of British departure, king Budhachandra initiated moves to formulate the Manipur State Constitution Act starting from December 12, 1946 .

Following information by the then Viceroy Lord Mountbatten on July 25 that Manipur would be free from August 14, the Manipur State Interim Council was set up as temporary arrangement before a Government is elected through adult franchise.

The Interim Council set up to rule independent Manipur comprised of Chief Minister MK Sanayaima (MK Priyobrata), two Ministers from the hills and another two Minister from the valley.

At 10.15 am of August 14, 1947, the British flag was pulled down and the Manipuri national flag emblazon with Pakhangba Paphal was hoisted in its signifying independence of Manipur.

After the constitution was adopted in 1947, an elected Government formed by 53 representatives elected through adult franchise came into being in 1948 in the form of constitutional monarchy.

The elected representatives included 18 from the hills.

This was before India adopted its constitution or any form of election was held.

But the new republic was too short-lived.

The Government of India, soon after its establishment, started scheming to annex around 500 kingdoms.

When Jawaharlal Nehru was the masterbrain, Sadar Patel was the executor of the conspiracy.

Under the same conspiracy, Budhachandra was invited to Shillong by Assam Governor Prakash at the instruction of Sadar Patel.

Soon after the king of Manipur arrived at Shillong, he was kept under virtual house arrest and forced the king to sign the infamous Merger Agreement under duress.

It was at 2.30 pm of September 21, 1949 that the political history of Manipur was taken to a different direction when the Merger Agreement was signed.

Recalling that Manipur was a free nation when it was 'forcibly merged' into the independent Indian Union, the outfit asked whether the Manipuri nation is enjoying any kind of freedom.

The so called freedom being enjoyed by Manipur is deception of an iron chain fastened on the neck as a golden necklace.

Observing that Manipur is backward in many fields, the outfit noted that the Manipuri people are not in a position to take a single step without New Delhi's permission.

Accusing the Government of India of continuously spewing venom among the indigenous people with the ulterior motive of destroying the unity of the Manipuri nation, the outfit called upon all the people of both the valley and hills to ponder over the growth of divisive forces in the society.

At the time when, Manipur became independent on August 14, 1947, there was no feeling of division or polarisation among the indigenous people.

The hill people and valley people were working together for collective development.

Looking back to history to those days of unity and amity, the people of Manipur need to build up an ideology of oneness and pledge together to win back the lost sovereignty, the RPF called out.

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