NydiaSilverman2 at 15:52, 25 April 2026

2026-04-25T15:52:40Z

New page

{{Short description|Activist organisation in Manipur, India}}
{{Orphan|date=September 2024}}

{{Use Indian English|date=October 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Coalition of Indigenes' Rights Campaign, Manipur
| region_served = [[Imphal Valley]], [[Manipur]], India
| logo =
| type = Meitei activist organisation
| headquarters =
| native_name =
| method =
| revenue =
| num_volunteers =
| owner =
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = Somorendro Thokchom
| leader_title2 = Vice-President
| leader_name2 = Longjam Ratan<ref name="Sangai 22 Sept 2024">
[https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2024/9/22/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-Sep-21-Remem-bering-the-Merger-Agreement-of-September-21-1949-which-merged-Ma.html CIRCA observes Natl Repentance Day], The Sangai Express, 22 September 2024.
</ref>
| leader_title3 = Spokesperson
| leader_name3 = Ningthouja Lancha
| founders =
| key_people =
| founded = 2015
| dissolved =
| focus = Campaigning for pre-merger status of Manipur
| footnotes =
}}
'''Coalition of Indigenes' Rights Campaign, Manipur'''<ref name="CIRCA book"/>{{efn|The name is more often written as '''Coalition of Indigenous Rights Campaign''' in newspapers.}}
('''CIRCA''') is a Meitei activist organisation in the state of [[Manipur]], India. It campaigns against the merger agreement by which the [[princely state]] of [[Manipur (princely state)|Manipur]] merged into independent [[Dominion of India|India]] in 1949, and demands a pre-merger status for Manipur. The organisation collaborated at its inception with Manipur's titular king, [[Leishemba Sanajaoba]], but broke off the engagement after he was elected to the Indian Parliament. The organisation is headed by Somorendro Thokchom, who is also the coordinator of the umbrella organisation [[COCOMI (Manipur)|COCOMI]] in 2024.<ref name="Sangai 19 Mar 2020"/>

== Background ==
In 1949, two years after India's independence, the ruler of the [[princely state]] of [[Manipur (princely state)|Manipur]], Maharaja [[Bodhchandra Singh]], was persuaded to sign a merger agreement with the [[Dominion of India|Indian Union]], which was soon to become a [[Republic]] in January 1950. All the princely states of India inherited from [[British Raj]] signed similar merger agreements, except for a handful of very large states that were accepted as independent India's states.<ref>
{{Citation |last=Furber |first=Holden |author-link=Holden Furber |title=The Unification of India, 1947–1951 |journal=Pacific Affairs |volume=24 |issue=4 |year=1951 |pages=352–371 |doi=10.2307/2753451 |publisher=Pacific Affairs, University of British Columbia |jstor=2753451}}
</ref>
In Manipur, resentment against the action of India took hold by the 1960s, coupled with a demand for full statehood for Manipur, which was still a [[union territory]] at that time. Secessionist sentiments began to grow.<ref name=Phanjoubam>
Pradip Phanjoubam, [https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/why-it-matters-how-manipur-became-a-state-of-india/cid/1684958 Why it matters how Manipur became a state], ''The Telegraph'', 20 February 2019.
</ref>
Despite the grant of full statehood in 1972, a major section of Manipuris still believed that all the privileges Manipur had before its merger ("pre-merger status") should be restored to it.<ref name=Meinya>
Thokchom Meinya, Debate on the Demands for Grants, General Budget, 2016-17 under the control of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), [https://indiankanoon.org/doc/70922886/ Lok Sabha debate], 27 April 2016.
</ref>

At the time of the merger, Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh was granted a privy purse of Rs. 300,000 per annum and the continued use of the title "Maharaja".<ref>{{citation |first=Samrat |last=Choudhury |title=Northeast India: A Political History |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2023 |isbn=9781787389526 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jerIEAAAQBAJ |pages=136–337}}
</ref>
His son Okendrajit inherited both of them, but they were abolished in course of time. His successor, [[Leishemba Sanajaoba]], when "crowned" in 1996, had no power or influence or even a steady income stream, even though he continued to use the title "Maharaja" without statutory sanction.<ref>
Andrew Buncombe, [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/modern-india-takes-on-the-king-of-manipur-over-his-royal-palace-8673595.html Modern India takes on the King of Manipur over his royal palace], Independent, 25 June 2013.
</ref><ref>
Malem Ningthouja, [https://www.imphaltimes.com/guest-column/the-history-of-chonga-bon-and-what-might-have-been-the-compulsions-behind-the-titular-king-s-decision-to-enter-electoral-politics/ The History of Chonga Bon and What Might Have Been the Compulsions Behind the Titular King’s Decision to Enter Electoral Politics], Imphal Times, 21 June 2020.
</ref><ref>
{{citation |author=R. K. Nimai |title=Is Manipur still a Kingdom? |date=23 June 2020 |newspaper=Imphal Free Press |url=https://www.ifp.co.in/774/is-manipur-still-a-kingdom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123113458/https://www.ifp.co.in/774/is-manipur-still-a-kingdom |archive-date=23 January 2021}}
</ref>

== Organisation and activities ==
CIRCA was set up in 2015 as a "coalition", by unnamed "like-minded organisations" which wanted Manipur to return to its pre-merger political status. Somorendro Thokchom was named as its convener, and later, its president.<ref name="Telegraph 22 Sep 2015">
Khelen Thokchom, [https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/manipur-clamours-for-special-status/cid/1395715 Manipur clamours for special status], The Telegraph (Kolkata), 22 September 2015.
</ref><ref name="Sangai 19 Mar 2020">
[https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2020/3/19/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-Mar-18-Shocked-by-the-drastic-decision-of-titular-king-Leishemba-Sanajaoba-to-contest-the-Rajya-Sabha-MP-election-the-Coalition-for-Indigenous-Rights-Campaign-CIRCA-.amp.html CIRCA demands titular King to step down from throne], The Sangai Express, 19 March 2020.
</ref>

The first activity of CIRCA was to start a month-long protest against Manipur's merger, starting on 21 September 2015, the anniversary of the signing of the merger agreement. Leishemba Sanajaoba kicked off the campaign from his [[Sana Konung]] palace, by hoisting the "state flag" at half-mast. The speakers claimed that all the problems besetting Manipur were an outgrowth of the merger agreement. Sanajaoba said that the political relationship between Manipur and India had to be renegotiated.<ref name="Telegraph 22 Sep 2015"/>

Since then, 21 September has been observed every year as the "National Repentance Day".<ref name="Sangai 22 Sept 2024">
[https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2024/9/22/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-Sep-21-Remem-bering-the-Merger-Agreement-of-September-21-1949-which-merged-Ma.html CIRCA observes Natl Repentance Day], The Sangai Express, 22 September 2024.
</ref> 14 August is also celebrated as the "Manipur Independence Day".<ref name="Sangai 15 Aug 2023">
[https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2023/8/15/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-Aug-14-As-in-other-parts-of-the-State-the-Coalition-for-Indigenous-Rights-C.html CIRCA recalls rich history of Manipur], The Sangai Express, 15 August 2023.
</ref>
In 2018, CIRCA published a book titled ''Why Pre-Merger Political Status for Manipur'', setting out its ideology.<ref name="CIRCA book">
{{citation |title=Why Pre-Merger Political Status for Manipur: Under the Framework of the Instrument of Accession, 1947 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oKZoDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA26 |year=2018 |publisher=Research and Media Cell, CIRCA |id=GGKEY:8XLWSW77KUZ |ref={{sfnref|CIRCA, Why Pre-Merger Political Status for Manipur|2018}}}}
</ref>

In 2020, Leishemba Sanajaoba decided to contest the Manipur's seat in [[Rajya Sabha]], the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. CIRCA believed that this was inconsistent with his role as the titular Maharaja, and broke off its collaboration with him. Afterwards, all its observances were carried out without Sanajaoba.<ref name="Sangai 19 Mar 2020"/> Sanajaoba floated a new organisation called [[Arambai Tenggol]], which became a major force during the [[2023–2024 Manipur violence]].<ref>
Angshuman Choudhury, [https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/arambai-tenggol-manipur-meitei-organisation-militia-targeting-kuki-zo/article68210312.ece Arambai Tenggol: How a Meitei ‘sociocultural organisation’ became an armed-to-the-teeth militia], Frontline, 30 May 2024.
</ref>

During the 2023–2024 violence, CIRCA maintained a low profile, but celebrated the "Manipur Independence Day" and "National Repentance Day", claiming that all the "chronic issues" of Manipur can be resolved if the political autonomy of the state is restored.<ref name="Sangai 15 Aug 2023"/>

== Links with other organisations ==
The underground organisation National Revolutionary Front, Manipur (NRFM) has called general strikes on 21 September, which coincide with CIRCA's observances of "National Repentance Day".<ref name="Telegraph 22 Sep 2015"/><ref>
[https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/circa-observed-national-repentance-day/ CIRCA observed National Repentance Day], Imphal Times, 21 September 2017;
[https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/24-hour-bandh-called-against-merger-agreement-affects-normalcy-in-the-state/ 24 hour bandh called against merger agreement affects normalcy in the state], Imphal Times, 21 September 2017.
</ref><ref name="Sangai 22 Sept 2024"/><ref>
[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/bandh-called-by-militant-outfit-hits-life-in-manipur/articleshow/113561142.cms Bandh called by militant outfit hits life in Manipur], The Times of India, 22 September 2024.
</ref>

Several other organisations have participated in CIRCA's observances, such as WASEDEV (Women's Association for Socio-Economic Development), AMWJU (All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union), HERICOUN (Ethno-Heritage Council), LKKL (Leihou Khunai Kanba Luptin), IKAL (Iramdam Kanba Apunba Lup).<ref name="IFP 22 Sep 2022">
CIRCA observes 'National Repentance Day', Imphal Free Press, 22 September 2022. {{ProQuest|2716380753}}
</ref><ref name="Sangai 15 Aug 2023"/>

CIRCA president Somorendro Thokchom is also the president of LIPUL (League of Indigenous People's Upliftment), which is a member unit of the [[Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity]] (COCOMI). Thokchom serves as the coordinator of COCOMI during 2023–2024.<ref>
[https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2019/10/22/IMPHAL-Oct-21-Major-civil-society-organisations-of-the-State-namely-AMUCO-CCSK-HERICOUN-LIPUL-and-UCM-have-jointly-formed-a-Coordinating-Committee-on-Manipur-Integrity-COCOMI-.html CSOs form united front to fight for integrity], The Sangai Express, 22 October 2019.
</ref>

CIRCA vice-president Longjam Ratan is also the president of HERICOUN.<ref name="IFP 22 Sep 2022"/>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2015 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Meitei organisations]]

Coalition of Indigenes' Rights Campaign Manipur - Revision history

NydiaSilverman2 at 15:52, 25 April 2026