LCTT calls to ensure thang-ta movement goes in right direction
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 18 2020: The Leadership Council of Thang-Ta (LCTT), Manipur has lauded the initiative of the Chief Minister towards preserving cultural and historically significant martial art form, "Thang-Ta" and expressed hope that he will further guide the movement in a more orderly fashion under a suitable policy.

Appealing those in thang-ta fraternity to shun differences and resolve existing conflicts in decent and amicable ways, LCTT also urged all to join hands in the CM's initiative and make thang-ta a more vibrant platform inclusive of all regardless of their religious background and ethnicity.

Noting that the boundary issue is a problem the State has been facing for years, LCTT in a statement said that Manipur Rifles can be strengthened by recruiting locally deserving youth involved in Thang-Ta to mend the boundaries successfully in place of Army and paramilitary forces.

Calling on the State Government to press the Central Government to recruit more locals and increase the strength of Manipur Rifles, LCCT said that the move will provide the locals a chance to serve the State and its boundary which can then cut the expenditure of accommodating Central forces.

While urging Thang-Ta institutes across the State to make sure that trainees are physically fit by incorporating other activities such as trekking and distance running, LCCT also appealed the State Government to open up Thang-Ta centres at Langol Hill, Langmaiching (Baruni), Koubru, Thangjing and all hill districts of the State.

LCCT also stressed on the importance of guiding the Thang-Ta movement in the right direction and lauded the Chief Minister for his interest in the field and for introducing 'Chief Minister Indigenous Martial Arts' Meet to promote the discipline which denotes unique cultural identity and inseparable bond between hills and valley people.

Appealing all concerned to keep the name 'Chief Minister Indigenous Martial Arts (Thang-Ta) Meet' as in the first edition, LCTT highlighted that 'Ta' represents hills people and 'Thang' represents the valley people.

'Ta Khousaba' exercise or move always begins with Kabui Khousa before steps of Tangkhul, Maram etc, said LCTT expressing the sense of integrity of various communities involved in Thang-Ta.

If such an artform is not preserved and guided in the right path or if it is used to serve the interest of a handful of people, it could create unnecessary confusion among communities which are very much related to one another.

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