We are also indigenous people: Telis in Manipur
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 07 2015 : The Telis in Manipur valley have claimed that as their forefathers had started selling edible oil in Manipur 400 years ago during the reign of King Khagemba, now they could be termed as indigenous people.

This was stated by Vaishaya Youth Club Secretary Sita Ram Sahu on Friday.

Sita Ram further informed that during the early years of Telis' arrival, the community was located in isolated houses in some parts of the State.

However, during the reign of King Churachand, these Telis were given land at Telipati and Mantripukhri area and there were sizeable number of populace in these two places.

"They used to eke out a living by crushing mustard oil seeds to extract edible oil and sell it in the residential areas and roadside shops", he said.

However, in tune with change of social scenario the younger generation had started joining other professions.

Sahu further said that the Telis are very much Manipuri and have been parts of the social fabric.

"We do not have any other homestead land in the country.

We will continue to live in Manipur.

We were born and will die in this state", he added.

Expressing support to the ILP campaign, he said that the Manipur Government should sincerely implement it.

Meanwhile, school students and Meira Paibis under the banners of Advanced Women Society Awang Sekmai and Sekmai Meira Paibi staged a sit-in-protest at the Sekmai market on Friday demanding implementation of the ILP in Manipur.

The women activists said that they were launching the sit-in-protest demanding incorporation of the five points of the JCILPS, punishment to the killers of Sapam Robinhood.

Reports of such sit-in-protests are received from many other areas.

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