• In the state of Manipur, having larger families is often encouraged
• Locals fear they will soon be outnumbered by the non-locals and immigrants
• Unlike other northeastern states, Manipur does not have provisions for the Inner Line Permit system yet

In the midst of large-scale family planning to curb the unchecked population growth, families in Manipur seem to think differently about managing their families.

Mutum Sobita(44) and Ningombam Sanahanbi (54) have fifteen and thirteen children respectively. And there is no case of mistreatment or malnutrition, rather children were provided with optimal education and care. Having these many number of children is considered the norm in these areas.

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According to a IANS report, these two mothers- Mutum Sobita of Keinou in Bishnupur district and Ningombam Sanahanbi of Okram Chuthek in Imphal East district were awarded on Sunday, June 12, at an event held at the Press Club there. There were thirteen recipients in total who were awarded with cash prize and citation for being wonderful mothers to their children. Iramdam Kunba Apunba Lup (IKAL) managed this event.

It is interesting to know why these indigenous families prefer having larger families in spite of small family size incentives provided by the government.

Experts highlight the fear of being outnumbered by non-locals have been encouraging these families to have a larger number of children.

According to the 2011 Census, population in the state was 2,721,750 of which the non-locals made up over 1,200,000, according to what the government officials told IANS.

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Unlike other northeastern states, Manipur does not have provisions for the Inner Line Permit system yet. It's a controversial topic and this sentiment was portrayed by Member of Legislative Assembly O. Lukhoi's speech, who was the chief guest at Sunday's event on June 12.

In 2015, the Manipur Assembly had approved of three bills following requests to execute the Inner Line Permit system. While the valley people, prevalent Meiteis, see it as the right step to protect them from immigrants, the Kukis and Nagas in the hills are resisting these bills, said a report by IANS.

"People are agitating today and demanding their protection since they have a fear that they will become strangers in their own home state," Lukhoi said.

-prepared by a staff-writer at NewsGram

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