With an eye on better representation...Koirengs call for bicameral system
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 01 2022:
The Koireng Youth Organisation Manipur (KYOM) has sought establishment of a minority commission and introduction of a bicameral legislature system in the interest of smaller communities like Koireng/Koren who can elect only a single legislator from among themselves.
A cultural exchange programme was held today at Longa Koireng village, Kangpokpi district under the theme 'Explore rich culture and excel our value and identity'.
Speaking at the gathering, KYOM president R Ngisoreng Boipu Koireng said that the Koireng community is an indigenous people who settled in Manipur since very early ages and the community has been taking active part in all major issues of the State including the movement to safeguard the integrity of Manipur and the struggle to get Inner Line Permit System extended to the State.
With the community's total population limited to just around 3000, the Koirengs are unable to elect an MLA of their own.
As a result, the community has not been given their rightful political platform till date and many political rights are still denied to them, Boipu Koireng said.
Not only Koireng, other smaller communities like Kharam, Tarao and Chothe will be able to elect lawmakers of their own and this will help in delivering their political rights if the bicameral system as followed in some States of India is introduced in Manipur too, he said.
Even though several institutions like TA & Hills Department and Tribal Research Institute (TRI) have been set up so that tribal communities can protect their interests, customs and identities, smaller tribal communities like the Koirengs are always neglected and marginalised and they seldom get the benefits of several Government schemes, Ngisoreng said.
Given these facts, the Koireng community is denied not only political rights but also development opportunities, he said.
Underscoring the need to ensure uniform distribution of opportunities and participation of all communities in the decision making process in order to bring peace and inclusive development in the State, the KYOM president urged the Government to set up a separate minority commission in the interest of smaller communities.
He also highlighted the difficulties faced by, the Koireng community in safeguarding their identity in the face of relentless socio-economic, cultural and political influences from bigger communities from both within the State and beyond.
He then expressed keen desire for the Government to give the smaller communities a special status and introduce a mechanism to protect them.
Ngisoreng appealed to all the people of the Koireng community to see the cultural exchange programme as a wake up call to document and protect their culture, tradition and other values.
Even though Koireng is a small community, it has its own culture, traditions, rituals starting from birth to death and language, he said.
Former AMUCO (All Manipur United Clubs Organisation) president Yangsoso Koireng said that the historical background of the Koireng community is given in detail in many works of well known historians apart from ancient texts like Poireiton Khuntok and Moirang Kangleirol.
A census exercise carried out during the British colonial period recorded the community correctly as Koireng and its total population at that time was 600.Saying that a community which has lost their culture, tradition, language and other values is as good as dead, Yangsoso Koireng expressed deep apprehension that Koireng may lose their identity and culture in the coming years just like the Moran community of Assam.
Saying that there are around 16 villages inhabited by the Koireng tribe, the former AMUCO (All Manipur United Clubs Organisation) president stressed the need for the youth to research and document the historical background of the community.
It is rather disappointing that the Koireng community has not been given any political voice even though India has been celebrating the 75th year of independence, he added.
The gathering was attended by chiefs and Khullakpas of different Koireng villages.