The Manipur Legislative Assembly on Friday commemorated the 75th anniversary of its first assembly meeting and celebrated the 6th foundation day of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Museum and Archives.
The event, held at the Assembly’s banquet hall in Imphal, served as a reflection on the state’s legislative history and a call for continued dedication to shaping its future.
In his address, Speaker Th Satyabarta highlighted the significance of preserving the legacy of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, emphasising the need for both public officials and citizens to excel in their respective fields to foster societal progress.
The Manipur State Assembly was initially formed in 1948 with 53 members, a major milestone in the state’s legislative history. Following Manipur’s merger with India in 1949, the Electoral College elections were held in 1952, resulting in the election of 30 members.
The establishment of the Manipur Territorial Council in 1957, comprising 30 elected members and two nominated women, was a key development, with the council being reconstituted in 1962 and converted into the Manipur Legislative Assembly in 1963.
The first assembly elections post-statehood took place in 1972, raising the number of seats to 60, a figure that remains unchanged to this day.
The programme also saw the release of a commemorative souvenir and the felicitation of contributors to the Assembly’s history and development.
K Meghajit, Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, presided over the event, while MLAs K Robindro and S Premchandra graced the occasion as guests of honour.
During the afternoon session, a series of lectures by prominent scholars shed light on various topics related to Manipur’s rich history.
Topics discussed included the “Seven Years Devastation,” “A Brief Account of Administrative History of Manipur,” “Formation of Meetei/Meitei,” and “The Statehood Movement of Manipur.”
The session was moderated by retired Associate Professor N Birachandra.
