Newmai News Network
Imphal | October 29
The Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) extended its warm greetings to the people on the occasion of Chagaa festival of the Liangmai people.
"May this grand festival of blessing and sanctification embark peace and prosperity upon everyone," the message of the LNC said.
Chagaa is the biggest festival of Liangmai people celebrated annually on October 30 and 31. "From time to time, the festival is organized on state level, however, for this year it will be celebrated on village and zonal levels both in the states of Manipur and Nagaland," according to the LNC.
In the state of Nagaland, Chagaa festival is declared a state restricted. "However, in the state of Manipur, the government has not conceded to our request to declare restricted holiday during Chagaa festival despite its promises on several occasions,"the LNC rued. It then reminded, and at the same time, "earnestly" appealed to "kindly" honour the assurances given to Liangmai people.
According to the LNC, "responsible personalities" both from state and the Centre while gracing the occasion as chief guests had openly assured that Chagaa would be declared a restricted holiday.
Gaikhangam, the then Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur had assured in the year 2013 at Namdilong (Kanglatongbi) that Chagaa festival will be declared a restricted holiday, said the LNC. The Liangmai body also said that O. Nabakishore, the then Chief Secretary of Manipur did the same in the year 2014 at Tarung, Imphal. The LNC further said that Jual Oram, the then Union Minister of Tribal Affairs assured the same to the Liangmai people in the year 2016 at Tamei.
"We still hope that the concerned authorities will reinstate our faith by honouring the commitments given to the people by the leader", the LNC said.
According to the Liangmai body, declaring a restricted holiday for the "age old cultural festival of indigenous inhabitants" of the state should not be a problem when the same Government had declared restricted holiday for "unheard Anglo-Kuki War out of nowhere".
