Assam Manipuri Progressive Front being christened as National Manipuri Progressive Front

Lakhipuronline Digital Desk : Assam Manipuri Progressive Front, a pioneer Manipuri organisation of Assam, will now be known as the National Manipuri Progressive Front.  At a general meeting held on 23 June 2024 at Madhya Sahar Sanskriti Samiti Hall, Silchar, and chaired by RK Sanatomba, the House unanimously resolved to change the name to the National Manipuri Progressive Front. The House also unanimously constituted an executive committee comprising 31 eminent personalities across the country. Key officials include I. S. Thingom as President, Dr Maimom Santi Kumar Singha as Working President, Karam Punshi as Vice President, Thokchom Manikumar as General Secretary and Okram Lakhikanta Singha as Secretary.

In addition, an advisory committee was also formed, comprising Prof. N Mohendra Singha (Manipur), L. Tarani Kanta Singha (Guwahati), R K Tarunjit Singha (Tripura), K. Langamba Meetei (Manipur), S. Tarun Kumar Singha (Pune), W. Brajabashi, RK Sanatomba and Kh Biswanath, among others.
The Front's objectives include working on key issues affecting the Manipuri people as a whole. The organisation has been involved in a number of activities in recent years, such as the Manipuri Development Council, which was established as a result of the organisation's (former) agitation. With the support of the Government of Assam, a four-day Manipuri Cultural Festival will be held in Silchar to encourage local talent in Manipuri performing arts. The organisation also organised the World Meetei Convention in 2020, which resulted in the establishment of the World Meetei Council. Dr M Santi Kumar Singha, Working President of the Front, expressed his concern about the ongoing tension in the Jiribam District of Manipur, which borders Assam. He appreciated the prompt action taken by Assam IGP Basanta Kumar Bhuiya to ensure that the Barak Valley Region of Assam remains peaceful.

I. S. Thingom, President of the organisation, raised the issue of an alternative road connecting Silchar and Guwahati, as the repeated landslides and cancellations of trains and buses have led to a hike in the prices of household commodities in the market. Manikumar Thokchom, General Secretary of the Front, spoke about the importance of unity and prosperity for Manipuri people living across the country. The House resolved to work towards the socio-cultural and economic upliftment of Manipuri people residing scattered across the nation.