Irom Sharmila an icon to Bangladesh Manipuri women
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 15 2011: Dejected on being denied permission to meet anti-AFSPA campaigner Irom Chanu Sharmila, a Manipuri woman activist from Bangladesh, nevertheless said that Sharmila's grit and relentless endeavour had been an inspiration for many Manipuri women settled in Bangladesh.

speaking to The Sangai Express forty-year old Thingujam Ohila, who is secretary of Ramnagar Manipuri Chaokhat Khongthang Nupi Lup in Bangladesh, confided that apart from attending the recently celebrated Mera Houchongba festival, members of the Bangladesh delegation were expecting to meet Irom Chanu Sharmila, currently lodged at the security ward of JN Hospital.

With the aspiration to personally convey morale support to Sharmila's campaign not materialising the Bangladeshi team will return home heavy-hearted, expressed Ohila adding that for the last few years conversation at most public gathering centres on the democratic movement launched by Sharmila and her determination to ensure right to life of Manipuris.

Thingujam Ohila and Sharmila

Asserting that Sharmila's effort to scrap the draconian law from all the States where it is enforced is exemplary, she said Sharmila is very much revered by Bangladesh Manipuri women who are confident that the democratic movement against AFSPA will certainly bear fruit.

Hoping that peace and development in Manipur will be a reality, the Lup secretary said it is the wish of every Manipuri women in Bangladesh to join in any important movement launched by women bodies in the State.

Inspite of separation by geographical boundary there is an indelible emotion for the motherland, she affirmed while stating that determination and resilience of the Manipuri womenfolk have gained global recognition.

Regarding condition of Manipuri women in Bangladesh, she said there had been some positive changes in outlook and concept in the Islamic country as adult female member of a family could move out of home without the company of a male.

Since establishment of the Ramnagar Manipuri Chaokhat Khongthang Nupi Lup in 1990 efforts are being made to preserve the tradition and culture of Manipur in addition to imparting training on weaving of traditional attires, said Ohila who exulted in informing that there are lady doctors and teachers among the Bangladesh Manipuri population.

under the aegis of the Lup cultural activities are being promoted in the form of organising classical Manipuri dance form and thang-ta martial art along with programmes on Ras Leela, Maibi Jagoi, etc at different places where there are substantial Manipuri population.

Highlighting that cultural activities of the Manipuris have been able to impress the majority population, Ohila however regretted that there is only limited assistance to the Bangladesh Manipuri population of about 10,000 from the side of the Bangladesh Government contrary to recognition and welfare programmes for the Lemlai group of people who have about 40,000 population.

Such a disparity is being pointed out to the Bangladesh Govt from time to time, she maintained and mentioned that Manipuri people in Bangladesh are concentrated in different places of Sylhet and Hobiganja.