Imphal, March 16 2009: The two-day 79th Lamta Thabung (Full Moon) Conference of the Apokpa Marup was held from March 10 to 11 at its office at Laishram Khul Mamang Leikai of Helakanti, Jaribon in Assam.

Minister of Excise and Border Area Development, Government of Assam, Goutam Roy and MP Lalit Mohon Suklabdia attended the conference organised by Apokpa Marup.

The two-day conference was inaugurated by the leader of 12 elders of Apokpa Marup, Khumommayum Meino by hoisting the carmine colour flag.

A number of members of Apokpa Marup, all dressed in carmine colour clothes, from different parts of Manipur and Assam attended the two-day full moon conference.

Addressing the gathering, an elder of Apokpa Marup, Naoria Amusana in his keynote speech, informed that Laininghal Ibungo Naoria Phullo, along with his four brothers and four brothers-in-law had taken the pledge on Saturday, April 12, 1930 that the traditions of ancient forefathers would be restored.

The following day, Sunday on which Shajibu Cheiraoba fell, the full moon conference began and a religious body called Apokpa Marup was established.

It was also announced that writing a new Apokpa Chronology was also begun from that Shajibu Cheiraoba day.

The full moon coference decided to organise the 80th anniversary, Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Apokpa Marup in 2010 in a grand manner with three-day seminar, etc so that it could be spread widely before the world.

During the two-day conference, a programme of baptising Meeteis was also held and a number of Meetei people�old and young alike got baptised.

A book entitled Meetei Houbham Waari written by Laininghal Naoria Phullo which had been translated into English as The Origin History of the Meeteis by the Apokpa Marup was also released by Minister of Excise and Border Area Development, Goutam Roy.

Goutam Roy said that the book will surely help bringing closer ties between the different communities.

Editor of Hueiyen Lanpao, Meetei Mayek Edition, Shivadutt Luwang, who was the chief guest at the two-day conference, observed that Laininghal Naoria Phullo was the man who revived the Meeteis who had almost become extinct for several hundreds of years since the reign of king Pamheiba (1709-48). He said, according to 2001 census, the number of Meeteis who follow Sanamahi faith has exceeded two lakh.

Paying respect to the Laininghal who had given invaluable contributions by the present generation is still very low.

We are still unable to translate the dream of Laininghal Naoria Phullo into action, Shivadutt Luwang regretted.

He also said that it was relevant that the life story of Laininghal Naoria Phullo should be incorporated in the educational curriculum and children should be made to understand the life story of Laininghal and pay more respect.

Social Worker, Naokhomba and Lecturer of Manipuri Department, Lala Rural College, Assam, Oinam Usharani also spoke in appreciation of Laininghal Naoria Phullo's contributions.

Khumommayum Meino presided over the conference, leader of Meetei National Front (MNF), Chingshubam Wangambi, leader of Meetei Thougal Marup, Jaribon, Konsam Samarjeet and MP Lalit Mohon Shuklabdia were the guests of honour.

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