The Assam government has proposed a major change by introducing ‘The Assam Official Language (Amendment) Bill, 2024’ in the state assembly on Thursday. This bill aims to designate Manipuri as an associate official language in four districts: Cachar, Hailakandi, Karimganj, and Hojai.
This decision comes in response to the longstanding requests from the Manipuri-speaking community in the Barak Valley and other regions of Assam, where there is a significant population of Manipuri speakers. The community has been advocating for their language to be recognized in an official capacity.
The bill specifies that Manipuri will be used as an associate official language for various official purposes, as outlined in Schedule-II, within the districts of Cachar, Hailakandi, Karimganj, and Hojai. This move is intended to improve communication and governance by acknowledging the linguistic diversity in these areas.
The bill’s objectives highlight the need to address the persistent demands of the Manipuri-speaking population, ensuring their language is respected and integrated into the state’s official framework in these districts.
In a post on X, Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, expressed his appreciation, highlighting the significance of this decision for the cultural, social, and linguistic preservation of the Manipuri community in Assam.
“This decision will be a significant step towards the preservation & protection of the cultural, social, and linguistic identity of the Manipuris in the state of Assam,” Singh said.
