The Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL) volunteers on Tuesday staged a protest in front of the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Manipur office by burning copies of the official DIPR calendar for including an alleged contentious entry.
The outrage was sparked by the inclusion of ‘Kuki Rising Day’ on October 17, which coincides with Mera Wayungba, a traditional ritualistic festival.
Contending the entry, KKL volunteers talked out about the matter at length with DIPR officials at the directorate office.
KKL officials and volunteers expressed discontentment with the entry, lambasting DIPR for allegedly failing to give cognisance of the historical and cultural significance of the date for the Meitei community.
Speaking to the media, KKL media coordinator Dirash Hamom highlighted that there was no such a day as ‘Kuki Rising Day’ in Manipur's entire cultural and historical records.
He questioned, “how such a distorted event was included in a state issued calendar and expressed suspicion if it was propaganda fueled by the ongoing conflict.”
“The officials have clarified that it was included based on the official state Gazette notification,” he said. He demanded authorities concerned to rectify the issue swiftly and added that it would prove the state was backing Kuki militants if they failed to do so.
