Meitei Pangals' history traced

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 9: Meitei Pangal Khunthok Ningshing Thouram Committee (Meipak Ningthou Committee) has conducted a one day seminar on "Meitei Pangal Khunthok Numit" at GM Hall, Imphal today.
Meipak Ningthou Committee convenor, BK Moirangcha; Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation (MMWO) president, Abdullah Phundreimayum; All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) president, Ph Nando Luwang;  United Peoples' Front  president, Warepam Second; Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) president, Ksh Somorendro; Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) president, Longjam Ratankumar and LIPUN &  Coalition for Indigenous Rights Campaign (CIRCA) president, Somorendro Thokchom attended the programme as the presidium members.
President, Historical and Cultural Research Centre, Naoroibam Indramani moderated the first session of the seminar while M Ranjana  Asst Prof  History Department, Standard College; Manuscript Custodian, Y Chaoba Meitei; Dr Badaruddin, former Asst Archivist, Manipur State Archive and L Santhoi Peeba, executive members, Luwang Nonghumshang, Singjamei Waikhom Leikai spoke on different topics which highlighted the history of early settlement of Meitei Pangal in Manipur and their roles in the society.
Delivering keynote address, Bariyauddin, executive member of Meipak Ningthou Committee said that the Meipak Ningthou Committee is a conglomerate of 7 lups which was established on Aug 5, this year.
The committee was  formed to trace and better understand the history of Meitei Pangal so that the people of Manipur  could have insight to the relationship and bond of love shared with the Meiteis since early days, he said.
He also expressed the need to include history, tradition, religion, values and customs etc of different communities residing in the State in the curriculum of Class IX and X students.
The second session of the seminar was moderated by social scientist, Dr Dhanabir Laishram.
Asst Prof Kha Manipur College, Kakcing, Dr Chirom Rajketan; Asst Prof History Department, Imphal College, Dr Thangjam Subash Singh; Asst Prof Department of History, DM College of Arts, Dr Syed Ahmed and faculty, IGNTU-RCM were the spokespersons of the second session.
Meipak Ningthou Committee convenor, BK Moirangcha said that Meitei Pangal started settling in Manipur during the reign of King Khagemba (1597-1652).
After thoroughly studying the history of Meitei Pangal, a date will be fixed to commemorate Meitei Pangal Khunthok Numit every year, he added.
Pointing out that there are many difference between mainstream Muslims and Meitei Pangals, he continued that the latter are the children of those Muslims who were given land and Meitei women in marriage by the then King Khagemba.
He also said that the committee will soon take up necessary steps to identify illegal migrants who are staying in Manipur.