Imphal: Manipur’s Titular King, Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, has urged the Indian government to explore the possibility of reclaiming Kabaw Valley—now part of Myanmar—or resuming the long-pending compensation payments.
Speaking during Zero Hour in Parliament on Sunday, Maharaja Leishemba, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP, asserted that Kabaw Valley, spanning approximately 22,210 sq km, was historically an integral part of the Manipur kingdom since 1450 AD. He claimed that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had “gifted away” the fertile and resource-rich valley to Burma (now Myanmar) after a meeting with Burmese Prime Minister U Nu in Manipur.
The Titular King further alleged that Nehru’s decision was made unilaterally—without parliamentary approval or state government endorsement—marking what he called “the most unfortunate day in Manipur’s history.” He also argued that Nehru disregarded the Treaty of Yandaboo (1826) and pointed out that under the Kabaw Valley Agreements of 1834, Burma had agreed to pay 500 Sicca Rupees per month as compensation to Manipur’s then-King, Gambhir Singh.
