Imphal, Feb. 2: The call to reintroduce Meitei script, after it was banished from Manipur by King Pamheiba nearly 300 years ago and replaced with Bengali script, was the highlight of the 276th anniversary of the Puya Meithaba here today.

Puya Meithaba (burning of Meitei books and scriptures) marked the introduction of Bengali script in Manipur by King Pamheiba in the 17th century after a Hindu missionary, Santi Das Gosai of Gaur or modern Bengal, popularised Hinduism in the erstwhile kingdom.

Apart from announcing Hinduism as the state religion, the king ordered replacement of the local Meitei script with the Bengali script, which is followed even today. The books written in Meitei script were burnt inside the Kangla Fort, while those who opposed the king?s orders were either executed or exiled.

The Meitei National Front, a non-political organisation, has been observing the Puya Meithaba anniversary every year with the objective of re-introducing the script.

Today?s function was jointly organised by the MNF and Apunba Meetei Mayek Sandokpa and Hinghanba Lup. A procession was taken out from Palace compound to Kangla Fort, the Meiteis? ancient seat of power, and floral tributes were paid to Meitei scholars, who opposed burning of the books, have been the part of the programme.

A drama depicting the historical event was also staged on the occasion. ?It is our demand that Meitei script should replace the borrowed script from this year. The government should take immediate steps by first providing fund for this purpose in the budget,? Chingsubam Akaba, the front?s president, said.