Dwindling Meetei population worries titular king
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 05 2023: Expressing concern over hesitancy to have more babies among the Meeteis and the resultant declining population of the community, titular king of Manipur and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba has stressed the need for adapting to needs of the changing geo-political situation and putting in efforts to protect the future and sustainability of the community.

Speaking as chief guest of the inaugural function of Huidon Laishang at Mayang Imphal Chabung Company Yurembam Leikai, Leishemba estimated population of Meetei community in the state at around 16 lakhs.

The Meetei population in Assam is around 5 lakhs, Myanmar around 1 lakh and Bangladesh 60,000 while in Tripura the figure is negligible, he said and stressed the need for all to think over the situation and strive to contribute towards survival of the community.

History of Meetei dates back to over 5122 years with records of Sagol Kangjei game featuring Ibudhou Marjing Pana and Ibudhou Thangjing Pana about 5113 years ago.

Despite such long lineage, population of the community is very low and as such, it is high time for the community to consider their fate and future.

Without collective efforts and realisation of the situation, the community will gradually lose its foot hold and fade into oblivion, he observed.

The parliamentarian also pointed out that there is lack of unity among the Meeteis and unlike other communities, there is no formal congregation and place for regular gathering to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern besetting the community.

Gatherings like feast, Lai Haraoba do not provide platforms for such congregation.

However, there is still time and the community can develop Lai Haraobung (sites/shrines of sylvan deities) into a platform for regular congregation instead of keeping them off-limit to the general population for protracted period, he said.

On the other hand, he cautioned that the community is being attacked from different sides.

Apart from the decreasing population, its youth are drowning in drugs and intoxicants.

Around 75 per cent of the students of the community studying from class VIII to XII are abusing one or another substance and this trend render the youth incapable of playing their part in the social development, he said.

MANIDCO chairman and Mayang Imphal MLA Kongkham Robindro also aired the same concern and stressed the need for developing platforms for regular congregation.

He called for upholding the culture and tradition of the community inherited from the forefathers.

People are desecrating Lai Haraobung by bringing liquor into the sacred complexes, which is not a good example for the future generation, he said.

The MLA then assured of constructing a communi ty hall for Huidon Lairembi Laishang at the earliest.

Local elder Yurembam Thambalngou presided over the programme, which was also attended by officials of Sana Konung Utra Shanglen.

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