First Sitting Of Manipur Assembly In 1948 Dr Chandramani recalls, blames Centre
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 18 2012: Asserting that erstwhile independent Manipur's geographical area was substantially large and widespread, Manipur People's Party (MPP) advisor and former Deputy Chief Minister Dr L chandramani has alleged prolonged negligence and incompassionate attitude of India for the shrinkage in Manipur's territory.

Dr Chandramani accused continuous negligence of Manipur by successive Governments of India for the people of Manipur ensnared in a difficult situation while addressing an MPP event organised by the regional political party to commemorate first sitting of the Manipur State Assembly on this day in 1948 .

Noting that at the time of merger into the Indian Union in 1949, Manipur's boundary stretched upto Chassad Kuki in the east, Jiri Turel (river) in the west, gorge beyond the present day Mao Gate on the north and the proposed Tipaimukh Dam site on the south, he said since becoming an entity of India Manipur most recently lost Namphalong Premnagar in Moreh to the neighbouring country.

Dr Chandramanis

Contending that India had been indifferent to Manipur's concerns and interests and expressing that it is high time Government of India realises its mistakes, the MPP leader affirmed that people of Manipur need to take pro-active steps to awaken India from its slumber with regard to Manipur-specific policies.

While the first election in India was held in 1952, Manipur had already conducted the democratic exercise in June 1948 during the reign of Maharaj Bodhchandra, more than three years ahead, under the Manipur Election Rules with PC Dev as the then returning officer, recounted the seasoned politician who also informed that the first assembly session on october 18, 1948 was held at Durbar Hall of the royal palace.

Further highlighting that Maharaj Bodhchandra addressed the inaugural session of the first assembly in both Manipuri and English, he expressed that commemorative events of the first assembly session organised by the MPP is not only a fitting tribute to the framers of Manipur's constitution but would also enable the upcoming generation to be aware of the message and policies contained in the speech of Maharaj Bodhchandra.

Apart from Manipur other regions of the North East are in chaos since joining the Indian Union, he claimed and reiterated his assertion that India should accept mistakes committed against the people of the region.

Okram Joy Singh, another former MPP legislator and current advisor of the party, conveyed that MPP had been commemorating the first assembly session of Manipur embracing the principle of parliamentary democracy as it believes that such event will further enrich democratic ethos.

The commemorative event was presided by MPP president S Umananda while general secretary presented the welcome address.