AMUCO lambasts forced assimilation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 16 2016 :
The All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has denounced all forms of forced assimilation of smaller com-munities/ethnic groups into larger ones.
Speaking at the installation ceremony of the Luplakpa of Kamui Koireng village located close to Andro today, AMUCO vice-president Ph Deban said that Manipur has been witnessing consistent attempts to assimilate smaller ethnic groups into larger ones.
People of Kamui Koireng had a hard time when a militant outfit coerced them to join the Naga group of tribes.
Nonetheless, people of Kamui Koireng stood firm and successfully protected their iden- tity of being Koirengs, Deban remarked.
Recently, there were even killings in Chandel district as an offshoot of the contest between two groups of Aimol people.
Whereas the larger group of Aimol people are determined to live and die as Aimols, the other group was working to take Aimol ethnic group within the fold of a larger community.
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However, AMUCO has been working for peaceful and harmonious co-existence among all ethnic groups of Manipur.
AMUCO has never been influenced by differences in languages, religions, ethnicity etc.
Koireng is one among the more than 36 ethnic groups of Manipur and they have their own culture and traditions.
Manipur can never be complete without Koirengs, Deban asserted.
There are many land disputes at areas where the valley joins the hills.
These disputes can be resolved amicably through dialogues and negotiations.
People should always be wary about attempts to assimilate smaller ethnic groups into larger ones as well as the Govt of India's alleged divide and rule policy.
The State Government's interventions or rather non-interventions in the context of such consistent attempts on forced assimilation are highly questionable, Deban remarked.
Later Kamu Koireng Khullakpa RT Yangreng proclaimed Z Chongbum Koireng as the Luplakpa.
This was followed by traditional dance and music programmes.
RT Yangreng said that the function was a very significant for Koireng people as Kamu Koireng village is about to reach 100 years of existence.
The post of Luplakpa was lying vacant for a long period.
Z Chongbum Koireng has been appointed Luplakpa with due consent of the villagers and in accordance to the rules and norms of Koireng tribe.