As a matter of fact, the widely spoken major tribal languages of the state, namely Aimol and Tarao have been reported as extinct while some really endangered languages of the state have been discarded in the online version of the UNESCO World Atlas of Endangered Languages vis-à-vis Census 2009.
The Monsang Tribe Union (MTU) of Chandel District excoriated the exclusion of Monsang language from the list of endangered languages framed by UNESCO in its online version of the World Atlas of Endangered Languages vis-à-vis Census 2009.
As a part of the agenda in the review meeting of the Monsang Tribe Customary and Usages, a meeting was held on August 13 at Liwa Sarei Community Hall at Liwa Sarei Village, Chandel district.
The proceedings of the meeting were codification and review of the customary and usages of Monsang and the current issue regarding the exclusion of Monsang language in the latest online version of the UNESCO World Atlas of Endangered Languages.
A visiting team led by Dr. Thokchom Chandramani Singh, chief resource person and technical assistant M.F.Basha from Centre for Tribal and Endangered Languages, Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Ministry of HRD, Government of India, interacted with the chairman of the Monsang Tribe Union of Chandel district.
During the interaction, he stated that Monsang is one of the endangered minor tribes of Manipur possessing a distinct identity as compared to other tribes of the state with a total population of about 2500. The Monsang tribes have been living in the state since the reign of King Khagemba.
It may be mentioned that (Late) Ng. Mono from Monsang community was elected as a member of legislative Assembly (MLA) of Manipur and even represented Manipur as a visiting official to the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharal Nehru.
There are six villages in Chandel district namely Liwa Chaning, Heibunglok, Liwa Khullen, Liwa Sarei, Japhou and Monsang Pantha inhabited by the tribe.
There are also a good number of tribes who are not schedule listed, particularly among the Thadou Kuki speaking ethnic groups. For the time being, they are categorized as unspecified tribes who are less known, such as Lunkim, Changsan, Lamhao, Lenthang, Misao, Lupheng, Lupho, Baite, Touthang, Mate, Doungel, chongloi, Hangshing and Thangeo.
Certain communities, who are not either Meitei Hindus or Meitei Pangal (Muslim), are Punjabi, Bihari, Tamilian, Nepali, Marwari etc. They are categorized as other communities. These other communities use either English or Meiteilon for their communication with other ethnic groups. The present population of other communities in the state is estimated to be 1, 46,016 as per the census of 2001.
Meanwhile, as a part of the ongoing documentation process of the Tarao tribes, the Tarao Tribe Literature Committee, Tarao Tribe Union (TTU), Tarao Students’ Union (TSU) and Tarao Chotnu Jurei (TCJ have launched a signature campaign for the modification and rectification of the wrong report of the UNESCO from August 13.
The campaign was also simulated by the visiting team from Leisokching village, village code no. 0064 of Chandel district, Manipur.
As a part of the ongoing documentation programme, Prof. G. Devi Prasada Sastry, Head, Centre for Tribal and Endangered Languages, CIIL, Ministry of HRD govt. of India is likely to visit Manipur as an observer on August 20.
~ Imphal Free Press
