Maipak Namrijinang Inka is an Inpui tribesman', says INBCA
Source: The Sangai Express

Noney, November 16 2023: The Inpui Naga Baptist Churches Association (INBCA) emphasized that Maipak Namrijinang Inka who holds a unique position as a Christian pioneer among the Inpui and Zeliangrong tribes is 'unequivocally an Inpui (Kabui) tribesman' .

In this regard, the INBCA, Christian Centre, Haochong in a press statement said, 'We strongly oppose the manipulation of historical facts for self-serving purposes, evident in the way the Rongmei Naga Baptist Association (RNBA) celebrated its centenary of Christianity in 2014 by claiming Maipak as Rongmei.

This concern is further underscored by the current intention of the Eastern Liangmei Baptist Association, Manipur (ELBAM) to mark its 109 Years of Liangmei Christianity Celebration on December 6, 2023, while asserting that the respected pioneer Maipak Namrijinang Inka belongs to the Liangmei community'.

Stating that this distortion of history is unwarranted, INBCA appealed to the leaders of the ELBAM and the organizing Committee for the 109 Years of Liangmei Christianity Celebration to reflect and address this issue prudently.

INBCA further called for rectification of the inscriptions on the Commemoration Monument, which currently designate Maipak Namrijinang Inka as Liangmei.

INBCA went on to maintain that 'it is essential to ensure that the four kindred tribes are acknowledged and presented with equal importance and recognition in all historical writings and documentation.

This clarification is necessitated to dispel any confusion and ensure that there is no subsequent misrepresentation or historical appropriation in the future'.

It is worth noting that Maipak Namrijinang Inka, a dedicated Inpui (Kabui), bom in Bakuwa (Khokiu), a now-deserted village in the Haochong Sub-Division, Noney District (earlier under Tamenglong District), served the Maharaja of Manipur as a cobbler and carpenter and emerged as one of the pioneers of Christianity in the region.

The Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) also acknowledges and records his role in the history of Christian evangelization in Manipur.

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