Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 23:
In continuation of the agitation against granting of SC status to the people of Chairen and Kakching, which began from Andro on June 20, a mass sit-in-protest cum public meeting was held at Leimaram in Bishnupur district today.
The next phase of the agitation would be held at Phayeng on June 25 and lastly at Khurkhul on June 27.Talking to mediapersons, advisor of All Manipur Scheduled Caste Students' Union (AMSCSU) Leichombam Pahari informed that they are prepared for taking up further intense course of action if the State Government remain indifferent to the demand for bringing out a white paper on the matter.
Reiterating the Kakching and Chairen are not included in the 8 SC villages recommended to the Government of India by the Chief Commissioner in 1955, Pahari wondered in such a situation how the SC certificates have been issued to the people of Chairen and Kakching by DC Thoubal and SDO Kakching.
This is a direct affront to the Constitution of India, he added.
Local circle MLA L Radhakishore who arrived at Shanti Bazar, where the protest demonstration was being staged, assured that people that he would meet the Chief Minister and try his best to resolve the impasse.
The MLA also said that Chairen and Kakching are not among the 8 SC villages recognised by the Central Govt based on the census report and other criteria.
Even for including these two villages, an Act has to be produced in the Parliament first of all, Radhakishore asserted.
Referring to distribution of SC certificates by MLA Ranjit to the people of Chairen, Radhakishore only said that Ranjit might have done that at his own capacity.
But there is no such recognition from the side of the Government.