67th Chumphut Phanit : Titular king calls for emotional integration among people
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 04 2019: Titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba has urged both the people of the hills and the valley to accept that they have been residing together in Manipur as brothers and sisters since time immemorial.

He also called for strengthening the emotional integration between the hills and the valley people while exuding confidence that no force can harm or affect the integrity of Manipur if the emotional connection between hills and the valley remains strong.

Speaking as the chief guest during the 67th Chumphut Phanit 2019, a Hongmahn village festival which kicked off yesterday at the public ground of the same village, Sanajaoba asserted that hills and valley people have been residing together in the State harmoniously.

He also mooted the idea of developing the site at the village where the twin statues of ex-MP and social thinker Rungsung Suisa and social reformer Chingsubam Akaba Meetei are being erected, as a symbol of integration of Manipuri people.

He said that Hongmahn Tangkhul village is a historical place where movement for making a new Manipur began and where Rungsung Suisa and Chingsubam Akaba Meetei launched the integration movement between the hills and the valley.

Saying that the twin statues at Hongmahn Tangkhul were erected in 2015 after exerting relentless effort for several years by all the concerned, Leishemba Sanajaoba remarked that the twin statues bear important significance and leaving the site unattended would amount to ignoring the values of integration as well as committing crimes against the two leaders.

He further assured that he will urge the State Government to do the needful for developing the said site as a symbol for integration.

On the other hand, CCSK president Jitendra Ningomba contended that every indigenous community in the State should regard their ethnic relation as more important than religion, while pointing out that embracement of different religions among the hills and valley people created rift between them.

He went on to state that the younger generations have started reviving the brotherly relations between hill and valley people.

Jitendra further appealed to both the people of the hills and the valley to sort out their differences through negotiations and dialogues while observing that no community should demand anything that challenges the unity of the people.

Hongmahn Tangkhul village Headman Ameikhui Zimik lauded the titular King for attending the the Tangkhul festival.

He opined that such initiative will go a long way towards strengthening the bond of love between the hills and the valley.

Apart from presenting simple gifts to the invitees and auctioning of village produces by the villagers, Leishemba Sanajaoba also kicked off a sports programme during the function.

Many entertainment programmes and sports events will be organized during the festival which will conclude tomorrow.

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