IT News
New Delhi, March 10:
Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba Leishemba has raised the issue of the historically significant Kabaw Valley, now part of Myanmar, urging the Upper House to either facilitate its return to Manipur or ensure the continuation of compensation payments to India as per the Treaty of Yandaboo (1826) and the Kabaw Valley Agreement (1834).
Raising the matter during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha today, MP Sanajaoba stated that Kabaw Valley, covering 22,210 sq. km, was an integral part of Manipur and a fertile land under Manipuri rule since 1450. He claimed that the valley was “gifted” to Burma (now Myanmar) by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, during a meeting with Burmese Prime Minister U Nu on March 3, 1953. He further alleged that Nehru made this decision without seeking consent from the state government of Manipur, calling it “the darkest day in Manipur’s history.”
Sanajaoba also pointed out that the decision ignored the historical agreements regarding Kabaw Valley. Under the 1834 Kabaw Valley Agreement, Burma was required to pay a monthly compensation of Sicca 500 to the then King of Manipur, Maharaj Gambhir Singh. This payment continued until 1949, even after Manipur’s merger into the Indian Union. Subsequently, Myanmar continued to pay the compensation to the Government of India until 1953, when Nehru allegedly transferred the valley to Myanmar without considering these historical facts.
Calling Nehru’s decision a grave mistake, MP Sanajaoba stated that the people of Manipur “will never forgive” the former Prime Minister and the Congress Party for this act. He urged the House to intervene and demand either the repatriation of Kabaw Valley to Manipur or the resumption of compensation payments by Myanmar.
