The Youth for Peace and Progress Manipur (YPPM) has alleged an author, retired brigadier (expired), former VC of Manipur University and an assistant professor of IGNOU of distorting facts of Manipur.
The YPPM alleged that the PhD thesis - 'Socio-economic roots of insurgency in North East India’, which was guided by former VC of Manipur University Amar Yumnam and Sadananda Sahoo of IGNOU and published in the name of author Sushil Kumar, attempts to distort the history of Manipur "thereby misleading and poisoning the minds of people so as to create schism in the symbolic harmonies relationships amongst various communities living together in the state".
Addressing the press on Sunday at the Manipur Press Club, YPPM co-convenor Jurist Khumancha said that the thesis attempts to "nullify all efforts and sacrifice of our forefathers to build such a great kingdom".
As against the all-evident historical facts, the author tried to distort that the merger of Manipur to dominion of India was only 700 square miles and the Maharaja of Manipur had no suzerainty over tribal chiefs of hill areas in Manipur, the YPPM said.
While looking at the history of Manipur with reference to the ‘White paper on Indian states’ published in 1950 by the Government of India, it has been confirmed that the total area of Manipur merged with the dominion of India on October 15, 1949 was 8,620 square miles with a total population of 5,12,000, Jurist said.
Before Manipur came under the British paramountcy in 1891 after Manipur lost the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, the kingdom of Manipur was the protector of various people inhabiting the Imphal valley, surrounding hills, Kabaw valley and Cachar. This is quite obvious from various Thanas (police posts) of Chakpi post, Chattick post, Jiri post, Kala Naga, Kangkhum post, Kongpak post, Mao post, Moreh post, Nasinga post, Namfow post, Prowi post throughout the geographical areas of Manipur, said Jurist and added that Cheitharol Kumbaba has also recorded many events which clearly shows the extension of administration of Manipur Rajah over the hill village.
He mentioned that the division into hills and valleys was started by the British colonists after Manipur was defeated in Anglo Manipur War of 1891. Even under the scheme of British paramountcy where the British divided Manipur into two administrations at hill and valley, the Maharaja was responsible for the administration of the state assisted by a darbar.
The hill tribes were administered on highness’ behalf by the president of the darbar assisted by one or more officers, Jurist said.
Mentioning historical facts, the co-convenor of YPPM said that the Manipur State Gazette on July 23, 1947, whereby the order for abolition of Pothang (beggar) and force labour on hill subjects was signed by Maharaja Budhachandra, just strengthens the assertion that even under the British rule where dual administration was adopted, Maharaja was still the head, he added.
The civilisational journey of the people of Manipur and the accompanying kingdom is reflected in the proclamation by Maharaja Budhachandra in the inauguration of the first Manipur Assembly on October 18, 1948 as ‘she had her domination over a wide area extending as far as the southern portion of China in the north’. Manipur's present area is 8,650 square miles plus 7,000 square miles of Kabaw valley including 7,900 square miles of the hills. It was declared when Manipur became independent from colonial yoke of British rule and yet to be merged to the dominion of India, Jurist said.
Further, he said that the list of members of Manipur Legislative Assembly of 1948 as well as the composition of council of ministers proves its inclusivity. It clearly and vividly shows that Manipur, during the pre-merger, was not at all just the valley of 700 square miles but 8,650 square miles at least which included 7,900 square miles of the hill areas.
YPPM charged the author of the thesis that he committed a crime against the people of Manipur for distorting the history using half-baked truth and that the two guidance are accessories to the crime. They owe a public apology for the crime, the YPPM said.
It may be noted that the author Sushil Kumar has expired, therefore YPPM demanded the former VC and IGNOU assistant professor for apology within seven days.
The YPPM appealed to the state government to take up legal action against the two for their attempt to distort the history and take steps to delete the portion distorting the history of Manipur.
