Imphal, October 09 2008: A seminar held at Kangla Hall here today resolved that it was on Sunday, the 17th day of Mera in 1732 that the Manipuri Puyas have been destroyed by setting on fire in front of Kangla Uttra by religious missionary Shantidas Gossai and then king of Manipur Pamheiba.

Organised under the aegis of ACOAM-Lup Kangleipak, the seminar held with the main objective of determining the exact date of destroying the Manipuri Puyas further resolved that 17th day of Mera would be observed as Puya Meithaba Numit every year.

Along with resolving to notify the same to the Government as well as all other authorities concerned, the seminar decided to exert pressure on the Government for declaring a State holiday on the said day.

The inaugural function of the seminar was attended by former Law Secretary L Ibomcha Singh as chief guest and president in-charge of ACOAM-Lup Kangleipak Indrakumar Ningombam as functional president.

Delivering the key note address, secretary general of ACOAM-Lup Kangleipak Chandramani Khumancha said forefathers of the Manipuri people have written down everything from the custom and tradition to the historical events and the socio-economic conditions of the people in the Puyas.

Unfortunately, the exact date on which these Puyas have been burnt down in front of Kangla Uttra has not yet been able to decipher.

So it is the objective of the seminar to bring together historical experts and other resource persons to help in determining the exact date.

Speaking as chief guest of the inaugural function, L Ibomcha said that it really unfortunate that the previous Governments as well as the present Government have not made any conscious effort to find out the exact date on which the invaluable Puyas of the Manipuri people were destroyed by setting on fire in front of Kangla Uttra.

The Government of Manipur should allot special fund to give scholarship for carrying out research in this area, he said, adding that if the exact date could not be pin-pointed out even after the seminar, then a committee should be set up for further study in this direction.

The seminar was held with Reader of DM College of Arts Dr Sagolsem Lanchenba Meitei as moderator.

National awardee Ayekpam Tomba Meitei, Naoroibam Indramani of Manipur State Archives, Akham Langol, Dr L Kunjeshori Devi of History Department, Manipur University and Lecturer of Oriental College Dr TB Singh were among the resource persons who presented papers during the seminar.

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