State govt opposes use of Meitei script on vehicle number plates

Imphal, Jul 23 (UNI) The Manipur government has objected to usage of Meitei script on number plates of vehicles promoted by Meitei Erol Eyek Loinasillon Apunba Lup (MEELAL).

The MEELAL had asked all private and government vehicle owners to use Meitei Mayek (script) for displaying registration numbers on vehicle number plates by Wednesday.

Meanwhile, police stopped many studios from using Meitei Mayek on vehicles. The police have also started rounding up MEELAL office bearers. MEELAL vice-president Sh Tomba Mangang, secretary general M Naokhomba and art and culture secretary W.Gojen were all detained by police yesterday.

With Manipuri language in Bengali script being included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, Meitei Mayek can not be used on the number plates, H.Imocha, Commissioner Transport said here.

Under the MV Act, 1988, the Centre had alloted State Codes to the respective States and the State government may direct by notification that an additional plate displaying the letters and figures in any specified Indian language out of those mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution may also be displayed on the motor vehicle as an additional Registration mark, if so desired by the owner of the vehicle, he added.

UNI