Pol autonomy demand endorsed

DIPR/Staff Reporter
Silchar, May 29 : A convention of Assam Manipuris held today at Rajiv Bhavan, Silchar, Assam under the aegis of the All Assam Manipuri Youths’ Association (AAMYA) has endorsed the demand for granting political autonomy to Manipuri people settled in Assam.
The convention also resolved to urge the Chief Minister of Manipur to pursue the Assam Government to table the Manipuri Autonomous Council Bill in the forthcoming Assam Assembly session.
The convention further resolved to appeal to all clubs, organisations or committees to pursue the demand of political autonomy for Manipuris in Assam to join hands with the AAMYA to streamline the movement with one voice and objective.    
Chief Minister N Biren too attended the convention.
On reaching the venue to attend the evening session of the convention, the Chief Minister was accorded a warm welcome by people of Manipuri communities of Assam.
Speaking as the chief guest of the function, Biren expressed profound happiness on seeing the huge turnout of Manipuris in Assam which included Meiteis, Meitei Pangals etc who came from every nook and corner of Assam to attend the convention.
Chief Minister N Biren announced that a Reunited Heritage Park would be constructed at Makhel, Senapati district as a symbol of amity and harmony.
It is believed that the Meiteis, the Ahoms of Assam and the Nagas once lived in harmony at Makhel village in Senapati district of Manipur, he stated and added that in an attempt to relive that good old memories or myth, a Reunited Heritage Park of Manipur will be constructed at the place.
He stated that the Manipuris residing in Assam and Manipur have unbreakable blood ties since time immemorial and added “We should always foster this spirit of brotherhood among us”.
“We should never forget the supreme sacrifices made by our forefathers in preserving and protecting our land, rich culture, tradition and heritage. We should stand together against anyone who tries to distort our great history”, Biren said.
“Due to internal disagreements among ourselves in the past, our forefathers gave room for external colonial and invasive powers to rule our land, for example the Seven Years Devastation, British invasion, etc. As such, we should learn these lessons from history and always stand united as there is a saying ‘united we stand, divided we fall’”, he added.
Regarding construction of a Manipur Bhavan in Assam, N Biren informed the gathering that the Manipur Government has been working on procurement of land and announced that a Cabinet decision will be taken very soon once the process is complete.
The Chief Minister appealed to the Manipuris in Assam to be loyal to the State and the country and added that any type of grievances, may be educational, political, health or demographic, could be conveyed through him if they cannot approach the Assam Government for the same.
Priority will be given to them while visiting Manipur for staying in the guest house constructed at Imphal for chiefs of all hill districts, he assured.
CAF&PD Minister L Sushindro Meitei,  MLA Kongkham Robindro, chief advisor AAMYA Ksh Kundan, vice president IPSA Manipur Khuraijam Athouba and general secretary Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Assam Prof. Kh. Dhiren Singh also attended the function, among others.
The morning session of the convention witnessed a discourse on issues and prospects of Assam Manipuri people. The discourse, moderated by Khuraijam Athouba, was attended by leaders of several Assam based Manipuri CSOs.
The convention also featured a special programme from actors and singers from Manipur and a martial arts show.