Bodies appeal to forego Ningol Chakkouba
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 30 2023:
Various organisations including Joint Action Co-ordination Committee (JACC), All Lilong Chajing Clubs' Organisation (ALCCO) and Laimanai Youth Club, Yairipok (LYCY) have appealed not to celebrate Ningol Chakkouba and Diwali festivals this year in respect of those who lost their lives in the present conflict against Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists.
In a release, JACC (Clubs & Meira Paibis of Lairikyengbam Leikai, Laipham Khunou, Kairang & Kontha Ahallup) co-ordinator Wakambam Naobi conveyed that numerous Meetei volunteers have died and many have gone missing in the now almost six months long conflict.
People who died in the conflict did not give up their lives for personal reason but for protecting the integrity of Manipur, it added.
Mentioning that it has taken note of the views expressed by some that if Ningol Chakkouba is not celebrated it will break the age-old tradition, JACC pointed out that in Meetei tradition if someone in the family dies, the Ningol Chakkouba is not celebrated till the first death anniversary.
JACC pointed out that it will be wrong to perceive that the martyrs were only related to their own family as they sacrificed their lives for every Meetei family.
Hence, as per Meetei tradition till the first death anniversaries of these martyrs, Ningol Chakkouba should be not celebrated, it reasoned.
In a separate release, LYCY conveyed that as there are many displaced people taking shelter in the relief camp run, Ningol Chakkouba and gambling during Diwali would not be allowed in areas under its jurisdiction.