Pot shots over Gaan Ngai Fest continue : TRCP-AMN poohs-poohs KUM's claim
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 02 2021: The Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak Phom - Assam Manipur Nagaland (TRCP-AMN) has come out strongly against the Kabui Union Manipur (KUM) for allegedly trying to tarnish the sacred Gaan Ngai festival and trying to give separate identities to Kabui and Rongmei just for 'mere monetary gains' .

The above statement was made by Chaoba Kamson secretary of TRCP-AMN at a press meet held at its office in Chingmeirong today.

He stated that Kabui and Rongmei belong to the same community as they share the same origin, belief, tradition and language though some individuals have embraced other religions.

The only difference is that the Government gave the ST status to Kabui in 1965 while the ST status to Rongmei was given in 2012, he added.

He continued that the title Kabui is mainly used in the valley region of Manipur whereas in Assam, Nagaland, Tamenglong, Noney and Jiri, Rongmei is widely accepted.

Talking about Gaan Ngai, Chaoba Kamson stated that since time immemorial, Gaan Ngai used to be celebrated in different villages but for the first time on January 16, 2003, it was celebrated at the State level.

As a mode of extending support, Tribal Affairs and Hill Department of the State started giving a nominal amount of Rs 2 lakh for the celebration of Gaan Ngai and since 2012 the festival is celebrated under the aegis of State Level Gaan Ngai Celebration Committee which was formed at the initiation of the Zeliangrong Union Manipur, he added.

Unfortunately KUM formed in 2018 started celebrating Gaan Ngai in Sawombung since 2020 claiming it to be a State level celebration.

However the Government does not recognise it, Chaoba Kamson continued.

He expressed discontentment at KUM's demand to revoke the Cabinet decision when Social Welfare Minister Okram Henry announced that the State Cabinet has approved to extend monetary support to State Level Gaan Ngai Celebration in this year's Gaan Ngai celebration held last month.

He further maintained that TRCP-AMN has been earnestly trying to preserve the belief, culture, tradition and literature of Kabuis and has around 25 branches in the North East region and is planning to open 8 more branches in the near future.

He alleged that the claims made by Kabui Union Manipur are baseless and appealed to all not to be misled by such false allegations.

K Kumar Kabui president of State Level Gaan Ngai Celebration Committee stated that the Government declared a State holiday for Gaan Ngai festival in 1998 and it was mentioned in the Cabinet memorandum of 1997 that Gaan Ngai is a religious festival of Kabui and those who follow TRC.

He further said that it is highly unacceptable that some unions are challenging the records of the Government claiming it to be false.

Representatives of Zeliangrong Union-AMN, Zeliangrong Baudi-AMN, Zeliangrong Students Union Manipur, Zeliangrong United Clubs Association Manipur Valley and Kabui Mothers Association also attended today's press meet and addressed the media too.

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