STDC postpones proposed mass rally
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 17 2016:
Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee (STDC) has indefinitely postponed its public rally to be staged at Imphal on May 22 .
This was announced by committee chairman Mutum Churamani while speaking at a press conference held at their Uripok Haobam Dewan Leikai office today.
He said that the decision was taken after due consultation in view of the current volatile situation.
Churamani however said that the committee would organise a public meeting on ST demand at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen at 10 am on
May 22 .
He urged the Meira Paibis and representatives of CSOs, local clubs and the public to attend the meeting.
Churamani further said that anybody who wishes to comment against the ST demand may also attend the meeting to express their views.
Saying that further course of ST demand campaign would be decided in the meeting, Churamani urged the public to extend monetary help for the campaign.
Discussion for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST list began way back in 1950 he said and added that the matter was taken up in a Cabinet meeting when Rishang Keishing was the Chief Minister and the late Irengbam Tompok was the Deputy Chief Minister.
Saying that the campaign gained vigour in 2011 again, Churamani said that STDC has organised various meetings and campaigns at various localities to impart awareness about the movement.
He also said that the committee has started working under the guidance of the retired Dean of Manipur University, Prof Mohendro.
Churamani further said that Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) has collected valuable datum on the issue and discussed the matter with the leaders of STDC.
Maintaining that Meiteis/Meeteis need a Constitutional safeguard, Churamani said that the matter has been minutely discussed with various leaders of different SCOs so far.