Sudden trigger of ‘Manipur Govt in exile’ in UK, Manipur registers case of waging war against separatists

Imphal, October 30: It took years to bring in states together in forming the united India, but sadly there are some who disrespect and disobey the freedom and rights entitled on them. This brings into limelight the recent shocking call taken by two separatists from Manipur announcing the launch of the “Manipur Government in exile” in London. Responding on the same, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said that the government has taken this matter seriously. He also stressed that a case has been registered by the government against the two separatists for waging war against the state and Special Crime Branch has been asked to immediately investigate this matter.

 

Speaking to the media about this matter, Manipur CM N Biren said, “Government takes it very seriously & has registered a case for waging war against the state. The case has been handed over to Special Crime Branch for immediate investigation.” Noting further, the Chief Minister of Manipur asserted that after finding the details, the state government will seek a probe by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in this matter because the separatists are operating from other countries.

It happened so that on Tuesday, two separatists from Manipur, as they claimed to be the representatives of King Leishemba Sanajaoba announced the launch of the “Manipur Government in exile” in London. Interestingly, Manipur’s titular king, Leishemba Sanajoaba, condemned the same and said that he is shocked that the two separatists dragged his name into this.

Addressing a press conference, Yamben Biren, who claimed to be the ‘Chief Minister of Manipur State Council’ and Narengbam Samarjit, claiming to be the ‘Minister of External Affairs and Defence of Manipur State Council’ said they were speaking on behalf of the ‘Maharaja of Manipur’ to formally launch the government in exile “The Manipur State Council”. They even produced some documents to suggest that they have been granted political asylum in the UK in August this year. They claimed that the ‘de jure government’ is shifted from Manipur to London.

Stating that the state of Manipur was formed after getting independence from the British Raj on 14 August, 1947, they claimed the sovereign State of Manipur was excluded from India by the Order in Council by his Majesty on 27 December 1946 and the Indian Government annexed the Manipur State of India by the violation of the Act 1949.

One of the most cherished state of Northeast, Manipur is a land of diverse cultures and ethnicities is a multicultural society comprising of Naga, Kuki and Meitei tribes. Due to British Raj and introduction of Christianity widened the cultural gap among the communities residing in the state. Because of this, over a period of time, separate aspirations and insecurity regarding overlapping claims over natural resources, added with help from neighbouring countries has led some of the groups and insurgents to move towards separatist movements. Till today, some of the Meitei insurgent groups continue to wage an insurgency in the name of self-determination and restoration of lost sovereignty.