“The Complexity Called MANIPUR Roots, Perceptions & Reality” should be forfeited: Home department

Imphal: The book ‘The Complexity Called MANIPUR Roots, Perceptions & Reality” authored by Late Brig. Sushil Kumar Sharma published by Viva Books Private Limited by Vinod Vasishtha for Viva Books Private Limited, 4737/23, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi, should be forfeited, said Manipur Home department.

The history relating to “Manipur Merger Agreement” is a very sensitive and emotional subject for the native people of the state of Manipur. The author had in his book mentioned above stated under the heading “Merger of Manipur with the Indian Union” that “The total area which the Manipur merger agreement covered was his territory of 700 square miles or 26,500 Paris/hectares. Not even a single inch of hill areas was covered under this agreement”. The information published in the book is grossly misleading and scandalous. And, these may even amount to breach of peace and public tranquility and maintenance of harmony between various communities residing in the state thereby impacting the National Security and National Integrity of India, said an order issued by Manipur home department on November 9.

The unfounded statements published in the book are contrary to Gazette published in the year 1950 by ministry of states (now ministry of Home Affairs), Government of India with the title “White Paper on Indian States”. The said publication of Government of India, specifically reproduces the “Manipur Merger Agreement” at page No. 232 viz. Appendix XXXI and it records at page No. 295 thereof, that during the time of merger vide Merger Agreement dated 15/10/1949, Manipur had 8,620 sq. miles of area and a total population of 5,12,000, it added.

For the reason the Government of Manipur is of the opinion that further circulation of the book containing grossly misleading, factually incorrect information and scandalous statement in connection with Merger of Manipur will create misunderstanding and communal tension between the communities residing in the valley areas and hill areas of the state which may escalate into violence which will affect public tranquility and maintenance of harmony between various communities residing in the state and may impact the Integrity of India, and as such the said book should be forfeited, the order said.

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 95 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), the Government of Manipur declares that every copy of the said book shall be forfeited to the government.