'Manipuris in Surma, Barak valleys not refugees'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 25 2022:
Manipuris in Surma and Barak valleys of Assam are not refugees but are original residents, who have settled there under the protection of Meetei king way before the Burmese occupation of Manipur for seven years, said Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board member Athokpam Chinglemba.
He was speaking at the inaugural day of Ima Panthoibi Haraoba of Rameshwar, Dharmanagar, Tripura, which is being revived after a gap of over 300 years by Ima Panthoibi Thougal Kanglup under the aegis of Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSBT) .
He said that it would be wrong for historians to treat Manipuris in Surma valley, Barak valley, Cachar, Tripura and Sylhet as those fled Manipur during the Burmese occupation and took shelter in the said places.
They have been living there when the area was under the rule of successive Meetei kings and the same is clearly recorded in 'Thumkhonglon' and 'Khamlang Wapu Ariba Yairengpu Lamchat Ariba' puyas, he said.
Manipuris settled there have been protecting their land for years.
Unfortunately, their survival is at stake in the absence of proper attention from their respective state governments as well as Manipur government.
Their situation is evident from the inability to organise Lai Haraoba festival in Dharmanagar for centuries, he reasoned.
LSBT is providing support in organising Lai Haraoba there by bringing 'Amaiba' and 'Amaibi' from Manipur as an attempt to unite the Manipuris settled in different parts of the country, he said, while urging Manipuris settling outside the state to uphold their culture and tradition.
Ima Panthoibi Thougal Kanglup president Naorem Deepak thanked LSBT for the support in reviving the religious festival after more than 300 years.
Thanking chief minister N Biren, who is also the president of LSBT, for his support, Deepak expressed hope that they will get further help from Manipur government for improving their living condition.
Speaking at the event, Iramdam Kanba Apunba Lup (IKAL) secretary Wahengbam Luwangleima noted that Lai Haraoba could be a catalyst to unite Manipuri diaspora and to promote Manipuri culture and tradition.
Manipuri residents of Kameswar will now have first-hand experience of taking part and witnessing Lai Haraoba.
She also said that IKAL will invite Manipuris from Dharmanagar area in its annual Sajibu Khudol Tamba event from next year onwards.
LSBT also presented a certificate of affiliation to Ima Panthoibi Thougal Kanglup, Kameswar on the occasion.