Indigenous Brothers Meet flays Shinde's remark on ILP
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 28 2012: Along with observing the 10th Indigenous Brothers' Meet, 2012, a 2-day long seminar on "The Indigenous Customary and Traditional Dress Code and Ornaments of all ethnic communities of Kangleipak" got underway from today at Keishamthong Kabui Khul Community Hall.

The observance which is being held under the aegis of The League of the Fourth World People Kangleipak (LFWPK) was graced by MLA L Nandakumar and Mangpu Karong Kom as Chief Guest and President respectively.

MLA RK Anand and Mangangcha Keisham Ibomcha, Vice President of LFWPK were also present as Guests of Honour.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA RK Anand said that statement made by Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde against re-implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Manipur, which had been unanimously passed by the State Assembly, was very unfortunate.

He further stated that to save the indigenous Northeast people from meeting the fate of Tripuris, there is the need to implement ILP in the whole North Eastern region or put in place some legislation which would help in safeguarding the identity of indigenous people.

The MLA also pointed out that the people living in the North Eastern India belong to Mongoloid race and have similar culture and food habits etc.

However, we tend to forget all these similarities and begin to think only of our own community, thus leading to loss of faith and love among the different communities.

All these differences could be settled only when we come together and understand our collective identity.

Speaking as Chief Guest of the function, MLA L Jayentakumar said that since the different communities living in Manipur have certain similarities as far as their culture, dressing and food habits are concern, the people of the state needs to discuss and understand the old customs and traditions passed down by our great forefathers.

Delivering the Presidential speech, Mangpu Karong Kom stated that on certain occasions, when different tribes gather together they don't communicate among each other speaking in their own language.

Manipuri language serves as the link language among these different tribes.

They tend to feel comfortable with each other while speaking in Manipur language, i.e.Meeteilon.

This clearly shows that Meeteilon is the bridging point among the different communities in the state and that we are all one.

The seminar was moderated by Dr K Sobita, Director of Arts and Culture, Government of Manipur.

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