The Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC) on Wednesday alleged the Central government of attempting to jeopardise the state’s territorial integrity with long-term efforts to fragment Manipur along ethnic lines.
The political maneuvering aims to disintegrate the state using Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, which allows changes to state boundaries, stated a release.
Such actions would violate the historic rights of the people of Manipur and contradict the principle of Uti Possidetis under international law, which protects existing borders after decolonisation, it mentioned.
The MIYC has pointed out that Manipur’s annexation in 1949 was controversial and coercive, making it distinct from other states. As such, the normal application of Article 3 cannot be imposed without considering the specific historical context of Manipur, it stated.
Moreover, India being a signatory to the United Nations Charter, adheres to Article 2, Clause 4, which prohibits use of force to alter state boundaries, adding that any attempt to change Manipur’s borders would violate both international law and the UN Charter, it stated.
The MIYC also condemned the idea of redrawing boundaries based on ethnic divisions to accommodate non-state actors and illegal immigrants, asserting that such moves are unlawful and detrimental to the state’s integrity.
