Imphal: Rajya Sabha MP and titular king of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba, has highlighted the theft, illicit trade, and sale of Manipuri Pony meat, an endangered species, despite ongoing conservation efforts.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday night, Sanajaoba raised concerns about the rampant theft and illegal sale of Manipuri ponies for meat through black markets in the valley.
These acts violate the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Calling attention to the need for strict enforcement of the Manipur Pony Conservation and Development Policy, 2016, to protect the rare breed, Sanajaoba noted that the Manipuri Pony is the origin of the game of polo and represents the state’s culture, history, and identity.
The MP pointed out that despite government efforts, gaps in the implementation of the 2016 policy and other factors have caused the population of the breed to drop below 1,000.
Notably, an investigative team from the Manipur Pony and Polo Players’ Welfare Association (MP&PWA) identified three individuals selling pony meat and subsequently lodged an FIR against them at the Lamphel police station in January 2026.
Recalling his earlier efforts, Sanajaoba stated that he had raised the issue in Parliament on July 22, 2022, seeking central assistance, and submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur on January 27, 2026, urging protection of the endangered breed.
Asserting that the Manipuri Pony has been intertwined with the state’s civilization for over 5,000 years, he described any act of hunting, killing, or selling the animal for meat as a matter of grave concern.
Consequently, the titular king has urged the Union Government to issue necessary directions to the State Government to ensure strict implementation of the conservation policy and take urgent measures to save the breed from extinction.