Treatise on ancient text of Chainarol released
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 18 2012:
A treatise on ancient text of Manipur entitled 'Chainarol: Way of Warrior' was released by Governor Gurbachan Jagat today in a simple yet historic function at Royale Conference Hall, Classic Hotel, North AOC.
The book, edited by Irengbam Arun under the auspices of Human Rights Alert, is a documentation of personal combats in different eras of Manipur history, the historic combat of the ancestors who were governed by strict norms and values of fair play and compassion even to their declared adversary and enemy.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Gurbachan Jagat said that Chainarol is one among the 4000 Puyas or old manuscripts which exist till today that records many armed combats of warriors from 1st century AD to the second half of the 16th century AD.
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Pointing out that Cheinarol means rules of personal combats or duels known as Chainaba, he said there are both written and unwritten codes for such duels in many cultures.
He underscored that a strong undercurrent of humanity existed in Chainaba.
He said, the contemporary international humanitarian laws date back to the mid 19th century resulting from the traumatic experiences of the European wars of that period.
These are in essence measures to limit sufferings of war by protecting certain categories of people who are not or are no longer taking part in the hostilities and by restricting the means and method of warfare.
Stating that humanitarian laws find a distant echo in the code of conduct as envisaged in Chairnarol, Gurbachan said that it shows that humanitarian values have universal appeal and are not restrictive.
Among others, the book releasing function was attended by Simon Peter Brooks, Deputy Head of Mission, South Asia Regional Delegation, ICRC; Dr Mayanglambam Lala, General Secretary, IRCS, Manipur State Branch and Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director of Human Rights Alert.