Indian Manipur separatists announce exiled government in UK – World

Dissident political leaders of the Indian state of Manipur said Tuesday that they unilaterally declared their independence from India and formed a government in exile in Britain.

The former princely state became part of India in 1949, two years after the country became independent from Britain, but since then it has seen violent separatist campaigns for decades.

Narengbam Samarjit, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the self-declared Manipur State Council, said the exiled government will press for recognition at the United Nations.

"We will lead the exiled government of jure here […] as of today, "he told reporters in London, after a declaration of independence announced for the first time in Manipur in 2012 was read aloud.

"We will seek recognition from different nations […] Become a member (UN). We hope that many of the countries recognize our independence. "

Manipur, one of the smallest states in India with a population of about 2.8 million people, is one of the so-called "Seven Sisters," a group of restless states in the northeast.

The region, surrounded by five other countries and connected to the rest of India by a strip of land arcing over Bangladesh, has been shaken by armed conflict and instability.

It has generated more than 100 militant groups over the decades, whose demands range from autonomy to secession.

Violence has been part of everyday life for decades in Manipur, which borders Myanmar, with a strong presence of the Indian army.

The state has a strong ethnic mix, and its communities Meitei, Naga, Kuki and Pangal are deeply committed to preserving their own cultural autonomy.

Its people have also always tended to look eastward in their search for cultural ties.

Samarjit said he hoped the world would support his cause of independence.

"We are not free there and our history will be destroyed, our culture will be extinguished," he warned.

"Then the UN should listen […] we raise our voice to the whole world that the people who live in Manipur are human beings. "

The High Commission of India did not respond to a request for comment.