Imhpal : The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of Tangkhul community has come out strongly against Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh’s declaration that Tangkhul and Meitei are brothers.
In a presse statement TNL President David K Shimray said that the TNL does not recognise the authority of N Biren Singh to define the blood relation of the Tangkhul tribe – either as head of state government or in his individual capacity. Such a declaration holds no bearing for and meaning of TNL.
“TNL also does not dismiss or disregard instances of relationships between certain families or clans of Tangkhul and Meitei communities. However, trying to blanket the entire Tangkhul community under one such stray historical and genealogical definition is bereft of any sound logic,” Shimray said.
“TNL and the Tangkhul community are competent enough to know our own history. We also believe in our destiny as an integral part of the Naga nation and do not wish our land to become a Summer Capital, second or any other Capital of Manipur,” he further added.
Welcoming and appreciating every move by the Biren Singh-led government regarding development works in the district, the apex body of Tangkhul community said, “…. the State government is merely doing its mandated duty and not bestowing any extraordinary largesse to us.”
Chief Minister Biren Singh, who visited Ukhrul district on October 18, spoke on the relation between the Tangkhuls and the Meiteis.
“Our history should not be distorted nor kept aside. We were divided because of political interference for sometime, but we are now gradually starting to understand each other. We must uphold our ancestral relationship of being brothers,” Biren had said.
