ST demand continues; Govt urged
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 02 2022:
The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) has warned of launching a series of intense agitations if the Government continues to 'sideline their democratic demand' to send the recommendations that the Meetei/Meitei be included in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of the Indian Constitution.
The STDCM staged a sit-in protest at Lamphel Supermarket along with women vendors as part of its movement demanding ST tag for the ethnic group today.
Speaking to media persons by the sideline of the demonstration, STDCM joint secretary Laishram Brajakishore said that they have been staging several demonstrations along with like minded people so that Meetei/Meitei could get some sort of Constitutional protection.
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Saying that incorporating Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of the Constitution is the only option to save the ethnic group from being overwhelmed by external threats, Brajakishore said that the STDCM opted to stage democratic protests by taking the people on board so as to awaken the Government and make them realise the urgency to protect the ethnic group.
Urging the State Government to send the recommendations sought by the Centre to consider enlistment of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list without delay, he exuded confidence that the Government would listen to their demand and do the needful.
However he added, "Unfortunately, the Government is yet to send the ethnographic and socio-economic reports of the Meetei/Meitei to the Centre and as such no initiative has been taken up to protect the ethnic group" .
"The STDCM might be compelled to launch intense agitations if the Government fails to understand the plight of the people and pays no heed to the demand," Brajakishore asserted and added the STDCM doesn't want to have bad blood with the Government.
Other members of the STDCM claimed that most of the MLAs of the ruling party have extended their support to the movement of the committee on seeking their opinions, but they haven't taken up any initiative to send the recommendations to the Centre.