Imphal, October 19: Categorically opposing use of Manipuri as prefix or suffix with Bishnupriya representatives of Committee Against the Claims of Bishnupriya (CACB) and North East Students Coordinating Committee on Manipuri Identity (Nescocomi) threatened to launch intense agitation on the issue.

Talking to reporters at AMSU head office today, its president Sinam Prakash, who is also member of Nescocomi asserted that Bishnupriyas insisting on affixing Manipuri to the Bishnupriya nomenclature is detrimental to interest, integrity and identity of Manipuris (Meiteis) settled in the State as well as outside.

Nescocomi will neither compromise interest of Manipuris inspite of concerted campaigns launched by Bishnupriyas in other States nor would it tolerate silence of the Manipur Govt on the issue, affirmed Prakash while threatening to launch agitation on the same issue.

Without divulging much detail on the proposed agitation, he urged for cooperation from civil societies.

he also informed that Manipur will host the fifth Manipuri National Convention scheduled in January 10-11 next year.

Speaking on the occasion, CACB coordinator advocate Ningombam Ajit conveyed of the body fully prepared to face any eventuality during the course of the Bishnupriya case pertaining to affixing Manipuri currently pending in the Supreme Court.

He cited financial constraints and lack of communication between organisations concerned for lack activities by the Committee.

President of All Tripura Manipuri Students' union K Dhiren taking part in the media briefing regretted that true identity and image of Manipuris had been besmirched by the Bishnuprya issue with people of Tripura still unable to differentiate between the two entities.

Inspite of the Manipuri student body resorting to agitational steps under the aegis of Nescocomi in the 1998s to protest linking Manipuri with Bishnupriya the most irritating part is various communities in Tripura questioning whether the Meiteis are Bishnupriya Manipuris or Manipuri Meiteis, Dhiren said.

Retired MU's Linguistic Department professor MS Ningomba touching on historical aspect said the Bishnupriyas in the past were known and called as 'Mayang Kalisa'.

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