Tamu Meiteis express deep concern
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 11 2019:
Meiteis settled in Tamu district of neighbouring Myanmar have expressed deep concern over the news report that a meeting was recently held to drive out Meiteis from Tamu.
Sources said that the particular meeting was organised at the initiative of an individual with vested interests so as to strain the close relationship shared between Myanmar and Manipur since historical period.
Even though many wars were fought between Manipur and Ava (now Myanmar) in the past, there are many phases in history where the two neighbouring countries shared cordial relationship.
Ava kings even married Meitei women to strengthen and endorse the cordial relationship shared between the two kingdoms.
When Siam (Thailand) invaded Ava, Manipur sent its cavalry to fight the invaders at the request of Ava.
Moreover, Meitei Bamons served as astrologers in the court of Ava kings.
Meiteis who were taken as prisoners of war during the Seven Years Devastation were settled as skilled craftsmen or special cavalry unit in the Ava army.
All these events and facts are recorded clearly in the chronicles of Myanmar which testifies that Manipur and Myanmar share an inseparable bond since a very long time back, said the sources.
In the latter stages of history, a large number of Myanmar students and members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) were given refuge in Manipur at the height of Myanmar military junta's crackdown against them.
They were given shelter in an Assam Rifles camp at Chandel and they were given military training.
They were also accommodated at Lamphel and many other places.
However, one politician of Tamu and his cohorts have been feigning ignorance of all these historical facts.
These handful of people have been working against the Meiteis with some vested interests, and this is a matter of grave concern, said the sources.