Tangkhul Meitei Ngashan Kummei to be held in November
Brotherhood of indigenes stressed
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, September 16 2022:
The Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL) and Meitei CSOs have agreed to organise a cultural exchange festival "Tangkhul Meitei Ngashan Kummei" and observe 'Indigenous Brother Meet' annually.
The decision was taken during a joint interactive session held at Shirui village today to build a better relation among the indigenous communities.
In this regard, a committee has been formed with TNWL president SA Ramnganing as convener and HERICOUN president Longjam Ratan Kumar as co-convener.
The other members of the committee include Ngamkhei Ngakpa Luwang, L Jadu, Somendra Thokchom, Okram Wangamba Meitei, M Churamani and Dr Norendro.
The committee unanimously agreed to hold the cultural exchange programme in November 2022 .
Before the interaction session, a get together programme of Tangkhul CSOs and Meitei CSOs was held at Shirui village in the presence of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) president David K Shimray.
The Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL) also invited the leaders of Meitei CSOs to a grand feast at Heritage Centre Vangayan at Shirui, after which the CSOs leaders of Tangkhul and Meitei community shared opinions to renew and strengthen the aged relationship among the two groups.
At the occasion, David K' Shimray spoke about the need to unite the Nagas and Meiteis who he said are the land owners of the State.
"The non locals will overwhelm us if we are not united," he said and added that there is no problem in them (the non locals) staying in Manipur but they should not be given any political rights such as the right to cast votes or contest in an election.
According to David, the Meiteis and Tangkhuls were divided due to religious factors as one group embraced Hinduism while the other took up Christianity.
TNWL president SA Ramnganing stated that there is no historical record of the Meeteis and Tangkhuls waging war against one another but share a cordial relationship.
HERICOUN president Longjam Ratan Kumar laid emphasis on the need to research on ancestor-descendant relationships so as to build a better relation among the indigenous groups.
Later, the community leaders exchanged gifts while the TNWL presented mementos to the leaders of the visiting CSOs.
The programme was attended by a host of Tangkhul and Meitei CSOs leaders representing Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long, TNFO, UCM, HERICOUN, AMUCO, LIPUL, UPF, KKL, INAT YOKHAT, COCOMI and Loumi Shinmi Apunba Lup.