IT News
Imphal, July 19:
Meitei FAMBEI, an assembly of all adult Meitei population has resolved to revisit Manipur’s merger agreement with the Indian Union.
Addressing media in a press conference held at Tronglaobi under Bishnupur district on July 19, Thouburel (leader in local language) of Meitei FAMBEI, Ningthouja Lancha said that the present crisis or conflict is not all about failure of law and order but a fallout of divide and rule policy which government of India adopted intentionally in the state of Manipur from many years back.
Observing the present situation and various issues which state encountered from time to time, there is an ardent need to strengthen Meitei society by unifying from local level, he said.
He said that the present crisis in Manipur has brought about untold hardships and challenges. From last three months, loss of lives and destruction of property still continue. People have been rendered defenceless and helpless in the face of Indian state’s irresponsibility to safeguard citizen’s right.
Ever since the British colonial administration and then its merger to India, Manipur has witnessed continuous degradation of its socio-economic, ecological and political system instead of flourishing as envisaged by ancestors of state, he alleged.
He said that the government of India timelessly failing to recognise Manipur’s political issues and framing it as mere law and order problem is unfortunate. As such assembly of all adult Meitei Population, Meitei FAMBEI has all prepared to revisit merge agreement singed with union of India.
He said that challenges of Manipur doesn’t only created from within the state but also include geo-political considerations arising out of closeness with Myanmar and China. In this view, there is a great need to strengthen the Meitei society as a way forward to uphold Manipur, to reaffirm relationship with other kindred communities in Manipur and also to engage with other political entities.
There is a urgent need to bring back life to community living and politics in order to safeguard the society and future. For this, Meitei community should rejuvenate the Leikai or Khul (locality in Meitei language) as a political and socio-economic space for discussion and decision making. Leikai/Khul represents the basic unit of Meitei’s living arrangement and each Meitei belongs to one Leikai or Khul, he informed while explaining about Meitei FAMBEI.
He also said that decision taken at the level of Leikai or Khul will be considered at higher level. This would necessitate channelising multiple voices towards a meaningful and durable future. Therefore there is a dire need for people’s assembly starting from Leikai or Khul.