More oppose ST demand for Meiteis
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 06 2019:
Strongly opposing the demand for inclusion of Meeties/Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list, United Tribal People's Council Manipur (UTPCM) has asserted that it will explore necessary means to obstruct the same adding that the demand for inclusion in the ST community has no basis.
A press release issued by vice president and general secretary of UTPCM asserted that STDCM should first study the essential characteristics for inclusion of Meitei community in the ST list before demanding the same.
UTPCM stated that primitive traits, geographical isolation, distinct culture, shy of contact with community at large and economic backwardness are the essential characteristics of a community to be included in the ST list.
Maintaining that the status of ST is not meant to exploit the weaker sections of the society by more advanced communities, it stated that STs of Manipur have already been facing exploitations in various forms and they needn't be exploited further by inclusion of Meitei in the ST list.
The statement further mentioned that STDCM is in obligation to study the socio-economic, political representations of various communities residing in the State before demanding ST status.
Meitei is a dominant community in all spheres in the State and as such they require no protection and safeguard similar to STs, who are perpetually being exploited and remain weak till date, added the statement.
Raising a series of questions, UTPCM asked why the most advanced and dominant community is demanding ST status and asked which community of the State has exploited the Meitei community.
It further questioned if the community still lead a primitive life like other ST communities or if they are geographically isolated or feel shy to contact with other communities etc.
Further questioning from whom the community needs protection, it maintained that ST status does not extend outside one's own State and within the territory of Manipur and Meiteis are the dominant people in the State.
Some small and vulnerable ST communities of Manipur who are qualified for Particularly Vulnerable tribal Groups (PVTGs) owing to their pre-agriculture level of technology, declining population etc are not even demanding the same, it said asking why Meiteis should raise its demand for inclusion.