New Delhi, November 24: An apex body of Bishnupriya Manipuri community, who are in a minority in Assam and Tripura, submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today demanding reservation in Parliament and the Legislative Councils of the two States.

They also staged a dharna near Jantar Mantar here and demanded introduction of Bishnupriya Manipuri language in secondary schools of Assam and Manipur, announcement of a special financial package for the community, establishment of a development council for them and appointment of persons from the community to the Union Public Service Commission and other statutory bodies.

�The Tarun Gogoi-led Assam Government has failed to take any initiative for us.

They are adopting a delaying technique even in appointment of Bishnupriya Manipuri teachers in primary schools," said Debendra Kumar Sinha, President of Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha.

The language was introduced in primary schools of Tripura and Assam in 1995 and 2001 respectively.

The Mahasabha, in the memorandum, also demanded introduction of Bishnupriya Manipuri cultural programmes in both Doordarshan and AIR in Assam and Tripura.

The Mahasabha met Minister of Heavy Industries and Water Resources Santosh Mohan Dev and CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and requested them to take up the issues with the Central Government.

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