Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 24:
Asserting that its members have been kept on the alert to crack down on anyone driving their vehicle without Meitei Mayek on their number plates as well as on hoardings, sign posts, banners etc from July 26, MEELAL today contradicted the statement of DGP, Y Joykumar which was published in the State media today.
In a statement, the Mayek proponent said that they have never laid down any rule that the number plates should be written only in Meitei Mayek.
The DG had yesterday warned vehicle owners that they would be liable for prosecution if their number plates carry only Meitei Mayek.
Elaborating, MEELAL said that it had already been announced that the vehicle owners can either carry the Mayek in full on one of the number plates either on the rear or the front or both Meitei Mayek and English may be used on the same plates.
Reacting to the observation of the DGP that such imposition may lead to communal tension, the statement said that the Mayek was first approved when Yangmasho Shaiza, elected from Ukhrul was the Chief Minister.
This was also endorsed by Rishang Keishing another hill man it said and added that when the O Ibobi Singh agreed to in troduce the Mayek in the educational institutions, the Education Minister was Francis Ngajokpa.
Asserting that MEELAL is not a communal organisation, the statement said that the declaration of the DGP is nothing short of putting up barriers to the efforts taken up to develop and promote the indigenous script of the people.
Accusing the Government of wilfully targeting the office bearers of MEELAL, the statement said that while the Govt did not take up any action against those responsible for burning schools in the hill districts, it has unnecessarily arrested three of its office bearers.