A Case Study on “Economic status of Meetei-Pangal (women) in Manipur”

By W Rorrkychand Singh

According to the history of Manipur, during the reign of King Khagemba in the year 1606 Muslims from Taraph Kingdom (North East of Bangladesh) numbering around 100 were allowed to settle in Manipur. However, knowing the courage, strength, sincerity, wisdom and industrious qualities of the community people Manipuri used to called them as PANGAL (Pang-gal which mean strength) and the rulers of that time allowed them to married Meetei-ladies and their descendent become Meetei-Pangal, who speaks Meeteilon as their mother tongue.

Since then, the number of Meetei-Pangal population has increased many a fold. According to report Manipur State Commission for MOBC, Manipur the total population of the community as of 2004 is 1, 79,590.

To study the economic status of the Meetei-Pangal, which is the second largest community in Manipur it is necessary to study the employment level, means to count the real bread earners.

The percentage share of Muslim workers to the state workers’ force is only 7.42% with a percentage of 43.62% and the number of workers to the total population of Meetei-Pangal is 36.75%. According to the Socio-Economic Survey of Meetei-Pangals-2004 (SESMP-2004) conducted by Directorate of Economics & Statistics and Directorate of MOBC Manipur, 71.71% of the total population of community is out of the labour force while as many as 90.12% of the female population are excluded from labour force.

For more details, please see the attached PDF file: Meetei_Pangal_Women_Case_Study

Posted: 2012-12-15