Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 20:
The European Manipuri Association condemns in its strongest terms the recent act of violence and the burning down of the State Central Library by some groups of people demanding the implementation of Meitei Mayek.
In a statement Thoiba Meetei Thoudam, secretary EMA said that though the association endorses and supports the demand to replace the Bengali script and instead replace it with the Meitei Mayek, it considers such violent protests as unacceptable form of struggle for a just cause.
It urged the Govt of Manipur, MEELAL and all parties involved to have a peaceful and meaningful dialogue, which will ultimately lead to the full implementation of Meitei Mayek in Manipur.
On the other hand, Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) has also come out strongly against act of arson committed by Mayek activists and reducing the State Central Library into ashes.
Such extreme steps seem to be have been taken up with an ulterior motive to destroy the history and cultural heritage of the land, MAFYF president Sapamcha Kangleipal said in a release today.
It is hard to digest the explanation that the only store house of knowledge housing many valuable records and documents was reduced to ashes for the cause of Meetei Mayek, but rather it looks the act of arson was committed intentionally, Kangleipal said.
MAFYF also questioned the efficiency of the intelligence network of the State Govt in not being able to prevent the incident from happening right in the heart of the capital city.