MAYOL concern over demographic shift
Source: Chronicle News Service

Bishnupur, December 23 2023: The 'Long March' of Manipur Youth League (MAYOL), after passing through various areas of Bishnupur district, held a public meeting at Ningthoukong before reaching Moirang, on the fourth day on Saturday.

The march started from Kangla on December 20 with the message of regeneration of Manipuri society and unity of people.

The 'Long March' was flagged off from Royal Academy of Law, Oinam which then passed through Yumnam Khunou, Keinou, Khoirakpam, Bishnupur, Ngaikhong Shiphai, Ngaikhong Khullen, Toubul, Khoijuman, Kwashiphai, Nachou, Kha Potshangbam, Upokpi and Toupokpi with thousands of people including Meira Paibi activists, clubs/organisations members and students lining up the road to encourage the marchers.

As the March reached Ningthoukhong, Apunba Lup Ningthoukhong and Apunba Ningthoukhong Keithel Lup received the marchers and organised a public meeting at Ningthoukhong Bazar.

The meeting was attended by WASEDEV president RK Tharakshana, IKAL secretary Wahengbam Luwangleima, Kangleipak Lamjing Apunba Meira Paibi Lup (KANGLA-MEI) president Oinam Leirikleima, COCOMI co-ordinator Jeetendra Ningomba, Rani Gaidinliu High School retired head master S Ibobi Singh, Apunba Lup Ningthoukhong advisor Kh Khutamacha, Ningthoukhong Modern Higher Secondary School retired head master A Ibobi Singh, social activist M Rajen, retired teacher RK Bishwanath, senior advocate O Sobha, political analyst L Sharatchandra Singh, Apunba Lup Ningthoukhong advisor Kh Kapoor Singh as presidium members.

Public welcomed the marchers with flowers as they arrived at Ningthoukhong Bazar while chanting slogans like 'We will no longer face devastation', 'Let us unite for tomorrow', among others.

Speaking on the occasion, MAYOL convenor Ashem Prince stated that Manipur and Meetei community is presently battling issues in various fronts including governance and economy, which has led to apprehension that Meeteis may even become extinct.

"Let's all unitedly face the challenges that are threatening the Manipuri society," he emphasised.

After the meeting meal were served to the marchers at Model Higher Secondary School, Ningthoukhong.

Later in the evening, the marchers reached Moirang and ended their march for the day at Moirang College.

Meanwhile, MAYOL in a release, conveyed that the present demography of the state does not look good for the future of Meetei community with steady decline in rate of population share of Meeteis in the overall population of state which has come down to 43.02 per cent (15,46,880) in 2023 from 56.2 per cent (1,24,254) in 1881 .

This decline in demography percentage of Meeteis has made the community a minority from being a majority population of the state in the past.

Decadal growth of Meeteis was 33.72 per cent between the period of 1961-71 but now it has drastically dropped to 17.19 per cent-presendy, it claimed.

MAYOL continued that according to demographer RK Narendra, the decline in population growth rate of Meeteis is dangerous trend and if this continues, Meetei population will see negative growth and will be reduced to approximately to 8-9 lakhs in the next 20-30 years.

He also opined that the ongoing conflict has arisen due to population imbalance with steep decline in Meetei population and extortionate increase in population of Kuki community, it mentioned.

MAYOL also emphasised that in past with its majority strength Meetei community had been a cementing force in uniting all the communities of the state but now all these communities, instead of standing for unity of all, are looking after their own self-interests.

There is a close relationship between saving Manipur and Meeteis considering the role played by the community in upholding the unity and integrity.

However, whether Meeteis will be able to face the present challenge of decline in their population is a big question, it stressed.

MAYOL further thanked all who have supported the 'Long March', especially the people along its ways, as well as CSOs, medical teams, local bodies and donors.

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