Family members of Manipuri writer and historian Rajkumar Jhalajit Singh from Imphal have imposed a ban on publishing or selling of his book entitled A Short History of Manipur.
One Ajit Sarangthem of Chanam Pukhri Mapal, Imphal was found to be selling the book A Short History of Manipur online, RK Geetasana, daughter of Jhalajit said while speaking to mediapersons in Imphal on Thursday.
Announcing the ban on the book, Geetasana said that printing and publishing of the book will cause social unrest, mass condemnation and protest from the Manipur society as the book’s presentation of the identity of the people of Manipur is a disputed one.
“Publishing of the said book should be held responsible for any unexpected social unrest which are likely to erupt subsequently to the public of the book and we are not related and connected with the matter,” she said.
Pointing out that the book mentioned that Manipuris are the descendants of the Arjun of Mahabharat, Geetasana said, “despite being children of Jhalajit we are against the wrong assertions and we will never support such assertions”.
When the family members contacted Ajit, who was found selling the book online, with the help of the police, it was found that Ajit took a (no objection certificate (NOC) fraudulently from the author on March 14, 2019 as the author is suffering from a mental problem due to a head injury, Geetasana said.
On October 7, Ajit and the family members of the author, Padma Shri awardee (1999), signed a deed of mutual agreement of cancelling the NOC, she added.
Jhalajit is one of the veteran journalists in Manipur and was editor of Anouba Matam, a local daily.
