Manipur MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba has made history as the first parliamentarian from the state to demand reparations for Kabaw Valley, a region historically belonging to Manipur. In the Rajya Sabha, he reignited the debate over the valley, now part of Myanmar, urging the Upper House to either facilitate its return to Manipur or ensure Myanmar resumes compensation payments to India, as per the Treaty of Yandaboo (1826) and the Kabaw Valley Agreement (1834).
During Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha today, MP Sanajaoba highlighted that Kabaw Valley, spanning 22,210 sq. km, has been a vital part of Manipur and a fertile land under Manipuri rule since 1450. He asserted 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. Sanajaoba further accused Nehru of making this decision without consulting the state government of Manipur, describing it as “the darkest day in Manipur’s history.“
MP Leishemba Sanajaoba also pointed out that Nehru’s decision disregarded historical agreements, including the 1834 Kabaw Valley Agreement, which required Burma to pay a monthly compensation of Sicca 500 to the then King of Manipur, Maharaj Gambhir Singh. This payment continued until 1949 and was later paid to the Government of India until 1953.
MP Sanajaoba termed Nehru’s decision a “grave mistake” and stated that the people of Manipur “will never forgive” the former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the Congress Party for this act. He urged the Upper House to intervene and demand either the repatriation of Kabaw Valley to Manipur or the resumption of compensation payments by Myanmar.