Meelal withdraws agitation over number plates in Meitei script

Imphal, Jul 26 (UNI) The Meitei Erol Eyek Loinasillon Apunba Lup (MEELAL) today withdrew their stir over the issue of painting the number plates of vehicles in Meitei Mayek(script).

An agreement was inked today between the organisation's secretary Y Biren and Transport Commissioner H Imocha. The delegation of Meelal was headed by its president Ng Yumjao and that of the government by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Thorough discussion were held regarding the announcement of Meelal compelling all vehicle drivers in the state to get their registration numbers written in Meitei script, with Meelal issuing severe threats in case of its failure. The representatives of Meelal later agreed to retract their statement and instead appealed to the public to use the Meitei Mayek along with Roman script on their own volition.

Police had started taking action against all Meelal members and erased all number plates written in Meitei Mayek.

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

Under the M V Act, 1988, the Central Government allots the 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.

He said the vehicles should display the number plates as directed by the government under the M V Act.

UNI