CBSTDCM, Cong leaders discuss ST status
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 11 2016:
Members of the Coordinating Body on Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (CBSTDCM) and Congress leaders held a discussion session on the demand for enlistment of Meitei/Meetei in ST category under the Constitution of India.
The discussion session was attended by presidents of District Congress Committees and Block Congress Committees.
Speaking at the gathering, CBSTDCM convenor Mutum Churamani said that said that the discussion programme was organised to elicit opinions and positions of Congress leaders with regard to the campaign for ST status.
The campaign evolved into a mass movement following the public meeting held on May 22 and the mass rally of September 18 .
CBSTDCM has already talked about the issue with the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers and Congress MLAs.
It was in continuation of this interaction programme that today's discussion session with DCC and BCC leaders was organised.
Meiteis/Meeteis have been living without any Constitutional safeguard fo r the last 66 years since Manipur was merged into the Indian Union.
The need for such a safeguard is felt very acutely these days.
If a Constitutional safeguard is not enacted, the Meiteis would face a severe threat to their existence, said Churamani.
There should be a mechanism under which outsiders are not allowed to buy/own land in the State while still allowing exchange of land ownership among the indigenous people.
The campaign for ST status is also aimed at removing the psychological barrier created by the Constitution in the name of General and ST categories, and bring about a uniform society, Churamani said.
The growing threats to the identities, cultures and traditions of indigenous peoples can be addressed by the movement for ST status.
CBSTDCM has already appealed to the State Cabinet to adopt a decision, and forward it to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs through the Governor within the current month so as to make the campaign a success, he said.
If the same appeal goes unheeded, CBSTDCM would be compelled to launch different modes of intense agitation and it would have a serious impact on the 11 th Manipur Legislative Assembly election, he added.