Chaoren remembered on 67th birth anniv "Meiteis are victims of unfolding geopolitics"

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 2: Irengbam Chaoren, late president of the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) was observed today at Manipur University audi-torium under the aegis of the Irengbam Chaoren Memorial Trust (ICMT).
Prof (retired) N Joykumar of History Department, MU, ICMT president Irengbam Bilasini, Thao Jatra Chothe of Lamlang Hupi Chothe village, Kabui Union Mani-pur president Dr Heera Kabui, Koireng Youth Organisation Manipur presi- dent R Boipu Koireng, Mei-tei Pangal Khunthok Ning- sing Thouram Committee convenor Arshad Beis-amayum and N Chiru of Chiru Tribe Union North East attended the birth anniversary function as chief guest, president and special guests respectively.
Associate Prof Dr Aram-bam Noni of Political Scien- ce Department, DMU and public speaker Dr Dhanabir Laishram too attended the event as special invitees.
Speaking at the function, Prof N Joykumar said that Manipur has broken apart even though its territory may be intact.
The relationship shared among the communities who have been living together in Manipur for thousands of years has taken a different dimension    following the current crisis, Prof Joykumar said.
He said that the Meiteis are the victims of the unfolding geopolitical situation.
“Even though the situation has deteriorated to such a critical stage, there is no leadership and we are unable to unite as one”, he lamented.
The Meitei-Kuki conflict is not something which can be taken lightly. Mere rhetoric or slogans would not serve any purpose. All the people need to come together and study the conflict minutely, Prof Joykumar said.
Human resource development is indispensable for the progress of a society. It is a matter of grave concern that the current conflict situation has severely jeopardised academic atmosphere in the State and a large number of students are losing interest in studies and academic activities.
It seems the Government is paying little attention to this matter, he said.
If the younger generations are deprived of proper education, there will be a huge gap in the development trajectory of Manipur, Prof Joykumar said.
This is one area where both the Government and the public must pay special attention, he added.
“For a long time, (mainland) India has an intention to suppress the Manipuri people considering our talents and excellence in the fields of culture and sports and the Government of India has been exploiting the current situation towards this end”, he said.
“We must fight the war. At the same time, we must pay attention to all other aspects of our social life”, he added.
Kabui Union Manipur president Dr Heera Kabui expressed strong reservation against holding dialogue at Delhi by a few people in search of a solution to the violent conflict.
He appealed to all concerned not to respond to every invitation just because the invitation was sent by someone close to them.
The conflict is not over yet. If any part of Manipur is given away as a prize for bringing an end to the present conflict, there will be no peace in the region, he warned.
“We must know all the indigenous people of the land. Everyone ought to remember the contributions of late Chaoren”, Dr Heera Kabui said.
He said that Irengbam Chaoren never ever thought or worked for his personal interest or wellbeing.
He appealed to all those organisations which have been scheming to disintegrate the State to think twice.
The current aggression is not targeted against Meiteis alone but it is targeting all the indigenous communities, Dr Heera Kabui said.
He also called upon all the indigenous communities  to live together harmoniously with mutual respect.
Later prizes were distributed to winners of the essay writing competition held in commemoration of Irengbam Chaoren’s birth anniversary.
Examiners of the essay competition were also felicitated.