B'desh team arrives on solidarity mission
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 13 2024: Under the banner "Support for Manipur", a team of Meitei diasporas from Bangladesh arrived here with relief materials for displaced people currently taking refuge in relief camps.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, Bangladesh Meitei diaspora representative Apu Ngangbam said that all the Meitei people of Bangladesh were deeply hurt and shocked when they learnt about the series of sustained attacks launched by Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists against the Meitei people in Manipur.

Meitei diaspora of Bangladesh contributed Rs 1.75 lakh and the same amount was donated to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund through Patriotic Writers' Forum secretary Rakesh Naorem in the initial days of the conflict last year towards the relief measures of the displaced people.

Three members of the Bangladesh Meitei diaspora arrived at Imphal on May 31 with relief materials contributed by the Meitei people of Bangladesh.

They have so far visited 11 relief camps opened in Kakching, Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal districts, and interacted with the displaced people.

They also presented certain relief materials to these relief camps.

"On learning that we came from Bangladesh, Meitei brothers and sisters living in the relief camps were visibly moved.

But we were deeply hurt on hearing their common desire to go back to their original homes and live a secure life even if it means surviving on a single meal a day", Apu Ngangbam said.

Questioning why Meiteis should live like refugees in relief camps in their own ancestral land, Apu said that they were overwhelmed by emotions when they saw how the Meitei people were living a miserable life in the relief camps.

"We are proud of the Meitei youth who have taken up arms with a strong determination to protect the integrity of Manipur and its territorial boundary although they should be going to schools and colleges under normal circumstances", he said.

"We felt elated and proud when he heard good news from Manipur, we felt ecstatic when Manipuri players won gold medals in international championships.

At such achievements, we held our heads high before other communities of Manipur", Apu said.

"On learning about the war launched by Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists against Meitei people, we would like to come to Manipur and join our brothers in their fight against the narco-terrorists.

But we could come to the aid of our own people because we are now living in a separate country", he said.

Apu Ngangbam then called upon all the Meitei people living in different parts of the world to protect and promote the State's integrity, territorial boundary, literature, culture and religious practices of Manipur and the Meitei community.

Rakesh Naorem said that Apu Ngangbam arrived at Imphal on May 31 together with Dijen Ngangbam and Rajiv Konthoujam.

Rakesh Naorem said that the Meitei people of Manipur should also go to the aid of Bangladesh Meiteis whenever they face difficult times, and the two sides must sustain and promote the blood relationship for eternity.

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