*LONDON:**After Kashmir, Yet another State announces rebellion against India.*
* Manipur leaders Yamben Biren and Narengbam Samarjit have announced separation from India and announced to form the Manipur State Council on behalf of King of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba. * Ad
Speaking to international media at a press conference, Chief Minister of Manipur State Council Yamben Biren and Minister of External Affairs and Defence of Manipur State Council Narengbam said that they were speaking on behalf of the Maharaja of Manipur High Highness the Leishemba Sanajaoba to formally launch the exiled government, “the Manipur State Council” which will be based in London.
Yamben Biren and Narengbam Samarjit confirmed that they have already applied for asylum in the United Kingdom in September 2019, fleeing persecution by the Indian state as declaring independence in India would have led them to being arrested and killed arbitrarily by the Indian security forces.
Manipur leaders produced a document before the media showing that His Highness the Maharaja of Manipur had authorised them by the Order dated March 15, 2013, to solve the political problems of the State of Manipur.
They said: “We believe that now is the right time to form the Independent Government of Manipur before the international community to announce our independent status and to seek recognition. We call on the members of the United Nations for their recognition of the exile Government of the Manipur.”
“The three million Manipuri people want recognition as one of the precious native nations. Our attempts to engage with the Indian government were met with hate and hostilities, It was not possible for us to declare the independence of Manipur while in India because we, the Ministers of the Manipur State Council, would have faced arrest, torture and extra-judicial killings at the hands of the Indian forces.”