Meet questions rationale of snubbing Meitei Pangal
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 08 2022: Pangal Political Forum (PPF), Manipur on Monday convened an emergency executive meet at Keirao circle after some organisations/CSOs named only 25 tribes as indigenous people of Manipur which also missed out Manipuri Muslim popularly known as Meitei Pangal.

According to a statement of PPF, the meeting attended by its advisor AR Khan, president Md Hassan, spokesperson MI Khan, secretary Kayamuddin and treasurer Maneruddin as presidium members had in-depth discussion of the contention of some CSOs about existence of only 25 tribes as indigenous people of Manipur and possible fallout of this issue.

While questioning the data based on which only 25 tribes are identified by the CSOs concerned when around 35 tribes are settling in the state, the meeting was unanimous that every indigenous community needs collective understanding on the matter, the statement said.

According to the PPF statement, people of the state are well aware that Manipuri Muslim (Meitei Pangal) have 500 years of history and the community now comprises 8.5 percent of state's total population.

However, Meitei Pangal missed out from indigenous peoples' list prepared by some CSOs though Meitei Pangals are descendants of Meitei women.

PPF believes that Pangal could be included among the Meitei as they are descendants of Meitei women (Ningol) but doubts in this regard is being raised at some Pangal inhabited circles, PPF said, adding that the forum was compelled to issue the statement in view of likely impact the community would face at the time of NRC/ILP and others.

The PPF statement further said that Monday's executive meet asked Manipur government if some organisations/CSOs were authorised to identify indigenous communities of the state and urged the government to clarify about the matter as it hurts sentiments of some Meitei Pangal organisations.

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