PREPAK calls for continued vigilance in sovereignty struggle on occasion 47th Foundation Day
The People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) is observing its 47th Foundation Day on October 9. Ahead of the foundation day PREPAK reaffirmed its commitment to the cause, reiterating claims that Kangleipak, or Manipur, was unlawfully annexed by India on October 15, 1949, in violation of international law. In a statement, Aheiba Angom, Chairman of the Interim Council, issued a call for revolutionary solidarity with indigenous communities of Kangleipak, revolutionary movements across the Western South East Asia (WESEA) region, and other oppressed peoples worldwide.
Angom also acknowledged the media’s role, praising both print and electronic journalists for their commitment to impartiality, truth, and vigilance in the face of what he described as colonial oppression. According to PREPAK, responsible journalism plays an indispensable role in safeguarding the welfare and progress of Kangleipak’s people, especially in the midst of external pressures.
In its message, PREPAK reflected on what it called three defining tragedies in Kangleipak’s history. The first tragedy, the group said, began in 1891 when Kangleipak lost its sovereignty after the Anglo-Manipur War, with British forces annexing the kingdom following what they described as betrayal by the British Empire. The second major blow, according to PREPAK, occurred after Manipur enjoyed a brief period of independence from British rule between August 14, 1947, and October 15, 1949, when India annexed the region. PREPAK claims that this annexation, carried out without the consent of the people, replaced one form of imperial rule with another, as Kangleipak lost its sovereignty to India.
The group identified the third ongoing tragedy as the continued oppression of Kanglei people in their struggle for self-determination, highlighting what it sees as Indian policies that stifle the aspirations of the region’s indigenous communities. PREPAK accused the Indian government of imposing a colonial-like rule over Kangleipak, perpetuating cycles of violence and discord among its people.
PREPAK did not limit its accusations to historical injustices. The group also blamed the Indian Army for waging a proxy war against the people of Kangleipak, claiming that Chin-Kuki-Zo narco-terrorists were being used as a tool to undermine the Meitei community and suppress revolutionary forces.
According to PREPAK, the Indian government has exploited the law and order situation to facilitate land grabs, thereby exacerbating ethnic tensions and fueling the ongoing conflict in the region.
PREPAK’s statement went on to assert that India is deliberately supporting these external forces, using them to attack Manipur’s indigenous people and further destabilize the region. The group claimed that the Meitei people, who have been at the forefront of the resistance against Indian rule, have faced violent repression while external groups, allegedly supported by India, continue to exploit the local population and resources.
In its message, PREPAK delved into legal arguments to bolster its claims of unlawful annexation. The group cited United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 3314, adopted in 1974, which defines the use of force by one sovereign state against another as an act of aggression. By invoking this resolution, PREPAK sought to draw parallels between Kangleipak’s merger with India in 1949 and acts of aggression recognized under international law. The group argued that the agreement signed by the King of Kangleipak in Shillong, under pressure from the Indian Army, was illegitimate and should be recognized as an act of coercion.
In addition, PREPAK referenced Section 9(b) of the Manipur State Constitution Act, which states that the Maharaja of Kangleipak is the constitutional head of the state. According to Section 8(a), the Maharaja could not intervene in matters affecting the legitimate interests of Kangleipak without the consent of the Council of Ministers. Despite this, PREPAK claimed that India ignored the constitutional framework of the region, forcing through the merger without the approval of the Kanglei people.
PREPAK also revisited the formation of the United Front of Kangleipak in 1947. Convened by Hijam Irawat, a prominent political figure, the United Front brought together a diverse array of political and ethnic groups in an effort to establish a responsible government and preserve the territorial integrity of Kangleipak. However, when Kangleipak was merged with India in 1949, the people’s aspirations for self-rule were crushed.
Highlighting key moments of resistance, PREPAK referred to the anti-merger agitation led by A. Daiho, who declared Manipur’s independence in a telegram to the Governor General of India. The people of Kangleipak protested the merger, with Mao leading a blockade of the Imphal-Dimapur road. The unrest culminated in violent clashes with police forces, resulting in deaths and imprisonments, including the arrest of key leaders like Yangmasho Shaiza.
PREPAK’s statement emphasized that the struggle for sovereignty and self-determination continues to this day, with the current situation in Kangleipak reflecting a deepening crisis. The group argued that India’s strategy of supporting the Chin-Kuki-Zo militants, while suppressing Meitei and Naga revolutionary movements, has created an environment of instability and violence. According to PREPAK, India’s goal is to weaken resistance forces in the WESEA region by pitting various ethnic groups against each other. This, they claim, has resulted in the devastation of communities, as both civilians and armed resistance groups face attacks from Indian-backed militias.
The ongoing proxy war, according to PREPAK, is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Manipur. Recent incidents, including drone bombings, sniper fire, and long-range missile attacks, have left civilians dead and communities in fear. The group condemned these actions as violations of international humanitarian law, including the International Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, which India ratified in 1999.
In light of these developments, PREPAK called on international organizations, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC), to intervene. The group suggested that India’s actions in Kangleipak could warrant investigation by the ICC, particularly given parallels with past conflicts in Yugoslavia and Rwanda, where war crimes tribunals were established.
PREPAK also criticized the Indian government’s failure to protect Manipur’s civilians under Article 355 of the Constitution, which obligates the central government to safeguard states from external aggression and internal disturbances. The group argued that in the absence of effective action from the central government, local villagers have taken up the role of Khun Ngakpa (Village Volunteers), defending their communities at great personal risk. However, while these volunteers face arrests and prosecution, PREPAK claimed that militants aligned with the Indian government continue to act with impunity.
As PREPAK commemorated its 47th Foundation Day, the group reiterated its call for continued vigilance and resistance in the face of what it perceives as colonial oppression by India. The group’s message underscored the enduring complexities of the region’s history, its present crisis, and the long-standing demand for Kangleipak’s sovereignty. With tensions in the region showing no signs of abating, PREPAK urged the international community to take notice of the situation in Manipur and to support its quest for self-determination.