KSA recalls Merger Agreement of September 21, 1949

IMPHAL, Sep 21
The Shillong Times had published the 'merger' of Manipur into the Union  of India on September 21, 1949 as "annexation", recalled Kangleipak Students' Association Saturday.
In a statement issued by its publicity secretary, KSA said that the news was published by the Shillong Times under the heading 'Manipur "Annexed" By New Delhi' on its September 27, 1949 issue.
KSA also recalled that the 4th sitting of the 3rd Session of the First Manipur State Legislative Assembly held under the provisions of the Manipur Constitution Act, 1947 at Assembly Chamber, Johnstone High School premises on September 28, 1949 took several resolutions in protest against the Merger Agreement signed by Maharaja Bodhchandra on September 21, 1949 at Shillong.
The resolutions adopted include a stand that "The State of Manipur will have no relations Foreign relation with Indian Government without any agreement signed with the MSLA though may it be the declaration of the then Maharaja."
"The ex-Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh under immense pressure and duress from Prakash Shah, Governor of Assam, VP Menon, Minister of State Affairs and Sardar Ballavai Patel was forced to sign the Merger Agreement of 21st September, 1949 at Shillong without any consignment from the Manipur State Legislative Assembly. The agreement is being dropped out by the Manipur State Legislative Assembly ie will not abide by the agreement," read one of the resolutions, said KSA.
Lastly, the Manipur State Legislative Assembly has taken the resolution that the Merger Agreement is totally dropped and that it will not consider such an agreement that had been signed whereabouts, read the resolution adopted by the Assembly with Speaker TC Tiangkham in the chair, said KSA adding that the resolutions were published in The Manipur  State Gazette, October 14, 1949.
KSA also identified the 'confusion' regarding the Merger Agreement as a root cause for many issues in the State.