USU, LCTT back ST demand
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 26 2021:
Union of Social Upliftment has come out in support of the 18 hours total shutdown planned by the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee (STDCM) from midnight of December 28, should the State Govt fail to meet their demand of sending the recommendation for inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list to the Centre by December 27.Further, the Leadership Council of Thang-Ta, Manipur (LCTT) has also endorsed any agitation in support of the movement for inclusion in ST list.
Union of Social Upliftment categorically declared in a statement that they will lend their full support to any future agitation launched by STDCM in this regard and echoed STDCM's stand to include the Meiteis in the ST list under Article 342(1) of the Constitution.
In a press release, LCTT also appealed to the State Govt to take up an interim measure in the meantime by creating a 'Special native people backward category' to grant the same land holding rights that tribals possess to the Meitei community.
LCTT also called for unity among the Meiteis and denounced the toxic elements that cause division within the community.
Further, the Council also appealed to the different communities to support the movement for inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list in order to safeguard the future against threats to the State's territorial integrity and international boundary disputes among others.