Manipuris demand council in Assam

Imphal, Nov 20 : The United Manipur Association, Assam (UMAA) has urged the Assam cabinet to consider the proposal for creating a "Manpuri Development Council (MDC)" for the welfare of Manipuris living in Assam.

Silchar based UMAA President M Kunja Mohan and Secretary I Dijendra led Manipuri delegation also called on Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and submitted a memorandum in this regard on Novemver 9 .

UMAA President M Kunja Mohan in a press release which was emailed to this correspondent said, around 300 volunteers of various Assam based Manipuri organizations have staged a sit in demonstration at Dispur in this regard on November 9 and 10 last.

The representatives of Guwahati Manipuri Social organization,Manipur people's coordination committee, Meira Paibi Guwahati, Kamrup district,Nowgaon Mohila Samiti,Manipuri Sahitya Parishand Assam,Barak Valley Meitei Convention, Progressive Students Alliance Barak valley and Udharbond Constituency Development Committee,All Assam Manipuri Students Union etc also conducted a poster besides participating in the sit in demonstration in connection with the issue.

A series of meeting and discussion were also held in between UMAA representatives and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain and Housing and Rural development minister DP Goala in presence of MLAs KA Mazumdar of Sonai,Ajit Singh of Udharbond and Kartik Sinha of Patharkandi, the release added.UMAA had been demanding creation of a MDC for the last 18 years.

Echoing a similar sentiment and seeking support from all the political parties and leaders, one Manipuri Diaspora Assam(MDA) has also demanded an 'Economic Development Council(EDC)' for Manipuris living in Assam.In a statement which was emailed to this correspondent, Dr M Santikumar Singha,General Secretary of MDA informed that the Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi had already assured two times to a delegation led by MDA leaders during the last Budget session and Monsoon session of Assam Assembly when the delegation submitted a memorandum.

There are around 8 lakh Manipuris in Assam's 13 districts,informed sources said.