By A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL | Aug 14
The titular king of Manipur, Sanajaoba Leisemba said “unless we are united we cannot go ahead so it is necessary to stay united and stand together as one for a bright future of Manipur.”
Sanajaoba was addressing the crowd during the celebration of 71st Manipur Independent Day today at the Old Royal Palace, Imphal organised by the members of Old Royal Palace and Coalition for Indigenes’ Rights Campaign (CIRCA), Manipur.
The erstwhile national flag of Manipur with the symbol of Lord Pakhangba (in serpentine form) embossed on it was hoisted by the titular king, Sanajaoba at the premises of the palace.
The titular king said that now a days the young generation do not know that Manipur was once an independent country with its own constitution.
The celebration of Manipur’s independent day will empower the people of Manipur with the historical awareness of their existence as a free nation and enable the people to fight for their legitimate political aspiration, continued Sanajaoba.
Manipur national flag has been hoisted every year in the palace premises but from the last year with the support of CIRCA and people of the state the celebration becomes a big event, he added.
Sanajaoba said that “in order to show the people outside the state that we are united, we must celebrate the Independence Day together at one location grandly from next year.”
He also spoke about the brief history of the independence day of Manipur.
CIRCA spokesperson, Ningthouja Lancha urged the state government to announce and declare August 14 as Manipur independence day.
He said until and unless a special constitutional status with maximum autonomy for Manipur is given, there will be no peace in the state.
He said that according to the Instrument of Accession any function in relation to the administration of the state and law of the dominion should be exercised by the state, except for the defence, communication, and external affairs.
To restore the pre-merger political status of Manipur for the welfare of the people, Instrument of Accession is the key to it.
Read more / Original news source: http://www.ifp.co.in/item/2860-state-s-independence-day-celebrated