Concerned over the alleged move of Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL) members for summoning Naga shopkeepers to their office for not including the Meetei Mayek script on their signboards, the All Naga Business Association has stated that such actions could lead to misunderstandings and communal tensions among the various communities living in Manipur.
The All Naga Business Association stated that such actions by MEELAL were arbitrary, unconstitutional, and amounting to mental harassment, which is against the law of the land.
ANBA issued a statement on Saturday stating that they received numerous reports from Naga shopkeepers operating in Imphal stating that some executive members of the Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL) had approached them, demanding to know why the Meetei Mayek script was not mentioned or written on their signboards.
It stated that MEELAL executive members have been summoning those shopkeepers to their office for not including the Meetei Mayek script on their signboards.
The association stated that India recognizes many official local languages and scripts from various states, as included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
However, neither the State Government nor the Central Government, nor any Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have imposed any language or script as compulsory, it stated.
ANBA questioned MEELAL as to which act or law mandates to compulsorily write, mention, or add any particular language script on signboards, advertisements, or banners.
ANBA also appealed to all concerned parties to stop the unnecessary pressurising and disturbance of Naga shopkeepers operating in Imphal.
The association urged the Chief Minister of Manipur to immediately intervene to address the critical situation in Manipur. "It is imperative to take necessary measures to ensure the effective enforcement of law and order, creating a secure and free environment for all residents," the statement added.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
