Manipur Kabui Union states stand
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 09 2019:
President of Manipur Kabui Union, Dr Heera Malangmei Kabui, has reacted strongly against the statement of Zeliangrong Union president Amu Kamei during a TV discussion programme on January 20, as well as a seminar write up of Ragongning Gangmei which was submitted to League of the Fourth World People of Kangleipak on the topic of Rongmei on October 28 last year.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, Dr Heera Malangmei Kabui stated that Kabui is one of the indigenous people of Manipur and have been living in the land since time immemorial.
Kabui people are a part of Manipur history, he said, adding that without the Kabui community, the history of Manipur will not be complete.
The Central Government, on January 8, 2012, passed a Bill for the inclusion of six tribes of Manipur in the Scheduled Tribe list and the tribes included Kabui, Kacha Naga, Inpui, Liangmei and Zeme tribes.
He further said that on June 5, an emergency meeting was held at Keishamthong Kabui Khul regarding the seminar write up of Ragongning Gangmei as well as the statement made by Zeliangrong Union president Amu Kamei during a discussion programme.
In connection with the distorted contents of the first article when it comes to Kabui, the meeting passed a resolution to appeal the convener of the seminar not to publish the article as it will present Kabui tribe in the wrong light before the common people.
In the seminar write-up, it is mentioned that the nomenclature of Kabui has been modified and replaced by Inpui and Rongmei by the Constitution.
But the fact is that Kabui is not replaced in the Indian Constitution and Ragongning Gangmei has no authority to publicize or claim that Kabui has been modified and replaced by Inpui and Rongmei by the Constitution, he said, adding that Kabui shall not be clubbed together or put in bracket with Rongmei.
On the other hand, referring to the discussion programme in which Amu Kamei mentioned that Kabui has been replaced by Inpui and Rongmei, Dr Heera alleged that the president of the Zeliangrong Union has no knowledge of Kabui mythology, ancestral rituals, customs, which have been practised for centuries as he has abandoned his own indigenous traits.
Stating that such statement brings great shame on the Zeliangrong Union, he strongly condemned the claims by Amu Kamei that Kabuis are residing in scattered pockets in the Imphal valley only and he also condemned his (Amu Kamei) opinion on Gang Ngai.
Asking the president not to repeat such wrong notions in the future, Dr Heera appealed all those concerned to invite Kabuis for any discussions which are related to Kabui tradition and cultures.
On February 16 this year, some Rongmei fanatics observed Gang Ngai in New Delhi against the scheduled season, he said and condemned the act in the strongest terms.
He then said that it is unfortunate a dance troupe presented a remixed dance at Moirang, though the issue has now subsided as an understanding was reached.
He, on behalf of the Manipur Kabui Union, appealed the dance gurus concerned to abide by the ethnic customs when it comes to the costumes and songs and assured that Manipur Kabui Union will extend cooperation in arranging their own dance troupe in such a situation so as to tighten the relationship with other ethnic communities.
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