State merger with India Meitei FAMBEI to review decision

Imphal: The Meitei FAMBEI, an assembly of the mature Meitei population, has decided to review Manipur’s merger agreement with the Indian Union.
Addressing the media on July 19 at a press conference held at Tronglaobi under Bishnopur district, Meitei FAMBEI K Thouburel (leader in the local language), Ningthouja Lancha said that the current crisis or conflict is not related to the failure of law and order. , rather it is the result. A result of the divide and rule policy which the Government of India deliberately adopted in the state of Manipur many years ago.
He said that observing the current situation and various problems that the state has to face from time to time, there is a dire need to strengthen Meitei Samaj by uniting at the local level.
He said that the current crisis in Manipur has created untold difficulties and challenges. In the last three months, loss of life and destruction of property continues.
The people have been rendered helpless and powerless in the face of the irresponsibility of the Indian state to protect the rights of the citizens.
He alleged that since the British colonial administration and then its accession to India, Manipur has seen a steady deterioration of its social, economic, environmental and political system instead of flourishing as envisioned by the state’s forefathers.
He said that the failure of the Government of India to recognize the political problems of Manipur and presenting them as mere law and order issues is unfortunate.
As such an assembly of the entire mature Meitei population, the Meitei FAMBEI has prepared to review the merger agreement signed with the Union of India.
He said that Manipur’s challenges not only arise from within the state but also include geopolitical concerns arising from its proximity to Myanmar and China.
In this view, there is a great need to strengthen the Meitei Samaj as a way to maintain Manipur, to validate its relations with other kin communities in Manipur and to connect with other political bodies.
There is an urgent need to bring life back into community life and politics to protect society and the future. For this, the Meitei community must revitalize the Leikai or Khul (a region in the Meitei language) as a political and socio-economic space for discussion and decision-making.
The Leikai/Khul represents the basic unit of Meitei living arrangement and each Meitei belongs to a Leikai or Khul, he explained about the Meitei FAMBEI.
He also said that the decisions taken at the Leikai or Khul level will be considered at the higher level. It will require channeling multiple voices towards a meaningful and sustainable future.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for a public gathering, either openly or openly.