Imphal, October 18 2008: In commemoration of the Manipur Assembly held on October 18, 1948 for the first time ever in the whole of South East Asia and South Asia, a public discussion session was organised at Kangla Hall here today.

The theme of the discussion was 'Enigma of Democracy: Challenges and prospects of a collective life'.

Organised jointly by Forum for Indigenous Perspectives and Action, United People's Front and Ethno Heritage Council, the inaugural function of the discussion session was attended by Mono Monsang, who was a member of the Manipur Assembly held on this day in 1948, as chief guest, former Minister Prof Gangmumei Kamei as chairperson and former Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Dr Sapam Dhananjoy as guest of honour.

Speaking at the occasion, Prof Gangmumei Kamei observed that essence of democracy in Manipur today has been reduced to scrambling for power without any concern for the welfare of the people.

He said every Manipuri should be proud of the fact that after long years of rule by king, Manipur had its first elected Government and held its Assembly on October 18, 1948 among all the South East Asian and South Asian countries.

This only goes to show that strength of Manipur as a Nation.

It is only those who do not understand Manipur that say that Manipur is a failed-State.

On the other hand, it is equally true that after the abolition of the self-elected Government of Manipur, a State sponsored by the Government of India has come into being, Prof Gangmumei said, adding that even the pen being used in the State Secretariat is being sponsored by India today.

The discussion session proceeded with Prof Gangmumei Kamei as the moderator and general secretary of HERICOUN Churamani.

president of NIPCO Nabakumar and Editor of Imphal Free Press Pradip Phanjoubam were among resource persons who spoke.

Nabakumar recalled that under the provision of the Manipur Constitutional Act, 1947, the first session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly was convened on October 18, 1948 .

However, on October 15 of the following year Manipur was annexed by India.

Understanding that the people of Manipur would not like action of India, Armed Forces Special Powers Act had been imposed to curb the voice of the people of Manipur, he expressed.

Subsequently, Manipur was relegated to the status of a Part-C State and granted full Statehood in 1972 .

All these historical events have reflected how the people of Manipur have been living under the Democracy of India, Nabakumar said.

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