Purum is a Kuki-Chin language, belonging to the Northwestern or "Old Kuki" subfamily. spoken in Manipur and Assam. The Chiru population numbers approximately 8,599. It is an endangered language spoken in only three districts of India: Kangpokpi, Noney districts of Manipur and Cachar district of Assam. The speakers of this language use Meitei language as their second language (L2). The Chiru language is neither used in schools nor in radio or mass media. Older people read and write in Meitei language. The younger generation of Chiru speakers prefers the Latin script.