HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Dec 28: The Meetei Students’ Association (MSA), Manipur University has stated that the Meetei possessed all the characteristics of being a tribe though the Constitution of India doesn’t recognise the ethnic group as one, the Sangai Express quoted.
It is the wrong narratives on the origin and history of Meeteis and some influences which have prevented the ethnic group from getting the ST status, said the association in a statement.
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MSA further said that the PhD theses and books must be re-examined by constituting a fact finding committee and clear all confusions which claim Kukis are indigenous to Manipur.
MSA further reiterated that the origin of Meetei resembles all the other genuine tribes of the world and no one can deny it.
Claiming that Kuki-Zo people who came from Myanmar have been creating trouble in Manipur by claiming itself to be an indigenous people of the State and by writing books and research papers based on concocted stories, MSA added that the depicting Anglo-Kuki War as historically true must be debunked.
Many sites which are associated with the history of Meeteis and sacred to them (the Meetei) have also been claimed by Kuki-Zo people as theirs, MSA claimed.
Further stating that Meetei was depicted wrongfully as the descendent of Arjuna of Mahabharata by some intellectuals, MSA suggested that a fact finding committee must be constituted and let them carry out out an in-depth  research on the history and origin of Meeteis to clear all the confusion.
It went on to claim that Tikendrajit, Paona Brajabashi, Thangal General, Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu and other heroes of Anglo-Manipuri War 1891 have  been depicted as freedom fighters of India independent movement.
The Nupi Lan of 1939 has also been portrayed as a movement against British India while Moirang has been depicted as the first place in India where the tri-colour was hoisted in 1944, MSA said and maintained that history shouldn’t be allowed to be altered based on the fancy and whim of some people.
Saying that history must be kept in its truest form as it gives historical pride and responsibility to the groups concerned, MSA appealed to all concerned to lend a hand  in rectifying the distorted versions of Manipur history particularly pertaining to the Meeteis.
