Imphal, Jun 13 (IANS): Three women who have given birth to 10 children each have been honoured and awarded by a Manipuri group worried over the decreasing Meitei population.

The Monday event was the fourth such consecutive annual function where Manipuri women have been honoured by those who fear that non-locals shall swamp the indigenous people in the troubled state.

The three women who were honoured were T. Sumati (41), N. Malika (55) and S. Inakkunbi (40). They were given Rs 10,000 and a certificate each.

The function was organised by Iramdam Kunba Apunba Lup (IKAL), an organisation formed to encourage Manipuri women to give births to more and more children.

Of the less that 28 lakh population of Manipur, it is estimated that non-locals outnumber the indigenous people.

Insurgents and some civil society organisations are not allowing non-indigenous people to contest elections in Manipur.

Soibam Subashchandra, who presided over the function, said there was appreciable population growth during the days of kings in Manipur.

Luwang Leima, President of IKAL, said: "There is a need to increase the population in Manipur by protecting the indigenous people."