Manipur Election 2017: Titular King urges Modi not to compromise state boundary

Imphal: Titular king of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba, has urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to compromise the territorial integrity of Manipur while resolving the protracted Naga peace dialogue.

Speaking during the BJP election rally in Imphal which Modi also attended, the Manipur king said that all the communities living in Manipur are now suffering in an inexpressible manner. He said that the gaps separating them have also widened greatly. "This land which once existed as one of the world’s oldest kingdoms having a history of thousands of years with respect of one another’s culture, tradition and religion has been a fearful place to live in," he said.

Leishemba Sanajaoba. Photo courtesy: Amukhomba Ngangban

He said, “I on behalf of the communities and ethnic groups living with utmost sufferings in the hills and the valley, I, a king in name only having been deprived of royal grandeur would like to express that Manipur boundary where various communities and ethnic communities living together in peace since primordial times should not be compromised at any cost."

"The kings who ruled Manipur at various periods of history fought and shed blood to preserve her territory. Following this tradition, I also stand firmly for the unity and integrity of Manipur where various communities are settling in peace and harmony," he added.

The central and state government has given various assurances since 1950 to bring solution to the issues and problems of the people of the state and to that effect memorandums of understanding with the hill based armed groups and civil bodies have also been signed. The framework agreement have created fear and suspicion in the minds of the people that unity and integrity might be broken, Leishemba said while urging Modi to convince the people that the integrity of Manipur shall never be compromised.