'Aimol will remain Aimol'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 01 2015:
People of Aimol will maintain their identity, asserted RT Akhel, president of Aimol Tribe Union, Manipur (ATUM) .
Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club today, RT Akhel said the Aimols settled in Manipur maintaining their identity since time immemorial.
There are a total of 15 Aimol villages including 11 in Chandel district and two each in Churchandpur and Sadar Hills.
The Aimol people during a meeting participated by village leaders, Church leaders and intellectuals on July 29, 2001 unanimously adopted to maintain neutrality of the tribe, he said.
However, the former president of ATUM S Munthuireng declared the Aimol as a Naga tribe.
The declaration of Munthuireng was endorsed by only four villages among the 15 Aimol villages.
The villages which endorsed Munthuireng's declaration are Chingnunghut, Satu, Khunyai and Kombirei.
Only 40 percent of these villagers endorsed the claim that Aimol is a Naga tribe.
He further said that a meeting of the 15 Aimol villages held on June 29 this year elected office bearers of ATUM.
Former president of ATUM Munthuireng was not included in the election.
Accusing Munthuireng, in cahoots with a militant group, of issuing press releases in the name of ATUM, RT Akhel said Munthuireng is found complicit in various antisocial activities.
Akhel further said that the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Editors' Guild, Manipur (EGM) have been petitioned not to entertain any press release issued by Munthuireng in future.
He further accused Munthuireng of issuing continuous threats to ATUM office bearers including himself.
The Aimols live peacefully with their neighbours.