Rights bodies plea for autonomy to Bishnupriya Manipuris in NE

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Bishnupriya Manipuri Human Rights Protection Forum (BMHRPF) and many other Rights organizations observed the International Human Rights Day with the plea to the governments in Assam, Tripura and Manipur to save the Bishnupriya Manipuris by providing them autonomous councils in satellite system in their respective States.

Inaugurating the programme as the chief guest, former Controller of Examinations, Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University, PB Lahkar said that the Bishnupriya Manipuris were one of the aborigines of Manipur. He advocated for the wellbeing of the community.

Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Dispur Public College Principal Manabendra Bhagawati and International Human Rights Social Justice Association general secretary Raju Mishra and representatives of the Hindustan Scouts and Guides etc.

All the speakers appealed to the governments to save the Bishnupriya Manipuri community whose language is an endangered one.

The executive editor of The Sentinel, Ramlal Sinha, who also attended the programme as a distinguished guest, appealed to the Assam government to create the Upper House in the State Assembly so as to ensure representation of various minority communities that have no political representations.

Prior to that the man behind the entire programme BMHRPF chairman Bidhan Sinha sent an SOS message the President of India, the Prime Minister of India, Union Minister of External Affairs, Assam Governor, Assam Chief Minister, Tripura Chief Minister and the Chief Minister of Manipur through the Kamrup (M) Deputy Commissioner for the protection of the Bishnupriya Manipuris by providing them autonomy in Assam, Manipur and Tripura in satellite system in areas inhabited by them. He also demanded ST(P) status to the community, besides inclusion of the Bishnupriya Manipuri language in the Eighth Schedule.

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