Inclusion of the Meeteis in ST list needs indepth discussion
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, June 29 2015 :
The demand for the inclusion of the Meeteis to the ST list is not an easy matter and needs thorough analysis and detailed discussion.
This was stated by the Chief Minister O Ibobi as a response to a question put by Ng Bijoy.
Ibobi further added that this demand has been going around since the past many years, and the government has been observing the situation very tactfully.
Going on the thought that the Meeteis and hill tribals are like siblings, it would be wrong for the Meeteis to convert to STs just because their hill brethren are tribals, he added.
No doubt, the Meeteis were once tribals, but just because of this, it would be unreasonable to try to get back to being tribals only now.
He said that the Meeteis got rid of ST status after Hinduism came into Manipur, and so, becoming STs again will not be easy and will need proper discussion.
In response to a supplementary Ibobi said that the Meeteis were documented as Hindu tribals in 1931 during the times of British India.
He suggested constituting a committee to research and look into this matter.
Ng Bijoy also asked whether there any government policy to stop frequent changes of names of localities and villages.
Revenue Minister Th Devendro, responding to the question, said that as of now there are 2529 recognised names of villages and localities by the Manipur Revenue Department.
Apart from these, the government does not recognise any other villages, and said that there is 'no policy' to stop the practice of changing names.