Two bodies in Assam reiterate Manipuri Autonomous Council demand
Source: The Sangai Express / Jiri News Network
Silchar, September 28 2020:
A new wave of protest has been freshly added in Assam as All Assam Manipuri Youth Association (AAMYA), Manipuri National Council (MNC) have reiterated the demand for Manipuri Autonomous Council at a time when other organisations are demanding the inclusion of Manipuri language as Assam's 'Associate Official Language' and protesting against Assam Government's 'Three language formula' .
The volunteers of AAMYA, MNC, other Meitei CSOs raised the demand of Manipuri Autonomous Council during a protest demonstration which was staged from 11 am to 12.30 pm in front of Cachar's DC office at Silchar today.
A memorandum demanding Manipuri Autonomous Council was also submitted to Assam CM via the Cachar DC.
Speaking to the media, AAMYA's chief advisor Kshetrimayum Kundal said that today's protest was a continuation of their earlier demand following Assam Government's failure to respond to their memorandum submitted on February 18, 2018 .
De-capacitating a community to field or produce MLA, MP that too in a democratic country means nothing but to push the community into the brink of extinction, he said while expressing concern that the Meitei community which constitutes a few lakhs in Assam's overall population will gradually disappear if situation remains the same.
Considering all the situation and plight of the community, the demand for an Autonomous Council was raised and it will solve all the problems the Meitei community has been facing in Assam for years, he continued.
AAMYA's advisor, Ngangom Ramakanta, supporting the cause, said that even other smaller communities in the State have been awarded Autonomous Council and Meitei community has all right to get a similar provision.
Otherwise the Meitei community has a slim hope of progress and development, he continued.
Calling the demand of Manipuri Autonomous Council as a reasonable and rightful one, president of Emoinu Evergreen Society, Longjam Babasana sought support of all civil society organisations to help the movement succeed.
Manipuri National Council's central committee member Joykumar, also echoed the need for mass participation to ensure the movement gains more weight and their demand is fulfilled.
Only then the issues pertaining to the Meitei community can be solved, he continued.