Jiribam bodies react
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 07 2015 : Reacting to Dr Khomdon Lisam's statements given in an article published on this daily, All Jiribam Minority People's Welfare Organisation (AJMPWO), All Jiribam Muslim Welfare Society (AJMWS), Nari Jagaran Jauthomanch, Jiribam (NJJ) and All Jiribam Bengali Students Union (AJBSU) have clarified that there is no Bangladeshis, immigrant or migrant workers from Bangladesh in Jiribam.

In a joint statement, the Bengali speaking people settled in Jiribam during the period when Manipur was under kingship and British.

These people cannot be regarded as Bangladeshis, foreigners, migrant workers etc.

They are native citizens of Manipur and they are indigenous people, the statement said.

It added that settlement of Bengali speaking people took place in Jiribam before Environment Minister Th Debendra and Dr Khomdon were born.

As such, the question of love and affinity of Th Debendra towards these people never arise, the statement said.

All the villages, roads, educational institutions, rivers and canals etc were named in Bengali as Bengalis were the first settlers of Jiribam, the statement said and added that these names were recorded in the Government Gazette and there is no change till date.

Saying that Bengali speaking people of Jiribam are the indigenous people of the State, the statement said that Th Debendra's duty is to protect these people.

Saying that Bengali speaking people have been taking part in all the major issues of the State, the statement said that instead of trying to drive them out, they must be embraced with love and affection.

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