ST status backed
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, April 08 2018:
Retired BDO Maibam Ibotombi Khuman has said that the Meitei/Meetei community was in the ST list of 1935 and as such, the community has every right to be included in the 1950 ST list as well and it is the duty of the State Government to ensure the inclusion of the community in the said list, reports our coprrespondent.
Speaking to media persons as a part of the continuous campaign by the Coordinating Body on Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee seeking opinions and feedbacks of well known personalities and experts of the State, the former BDO of Tuibong, Churachandpur district said that the people of the valley and the hills are brothers and the traditions including exchange of Loiyum phi during Meitei/Meetei wedding, presence of Yek Salai among the tribes, presence of Sanamahi Lainingthou religion among the non Christians etc are proofs that they are related to one another.
He also claimed that the 1891 census by the British mentions Manipuris as an important hill tribe.
As such, it would be wise for the political parties of the State to set aside their differences and work for the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei community in the ST list and to bring unity among the hill and the valley, he added.
Coordinating Body on ST Demand Committee vice president Y Nilamani as well as various other leaders were also present at the meet.