STDCM warns of intensified stir
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 14 2023:
The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has warned of more rigorous agitation if the legislators do no adopt a resolution in favour of enlisting Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe category in the next State Assembly session which is scheduled in February.
Urging the State Government to send a recommendation along with necessary documents to the Central Government for enlisting Meitei/Meetei in the ST category, women vendors of Kakwa Keithel staged a protest demonstration at the market today.
Speaking to media persons by the sideline of the protest demonstration, STDCM Assistant General Secretary Sumati Sougrakpam decried that the State Government has been overlooking the popular demand for more than 10 years.
The State Government has shown no intention till date to send the requisite recommendation to the Central Government, she lamented.
Nonetheless, a number of legislators have pledged their support to the ongoing movement and the demand for granting ST status to Meitei community.
They also assured to provide all possible assistance towards fulfilling the demand, Sumati said.
She then demanded the legislators to adopt a resolution at the State Assembly during the forthcoming session in favour of enlisting Meitei/Meetei in the ST category and send a recommendation to the Central Government.
If the legislators fail to adopt a resolution or do the needful, more rigorous modes of agitation would be launched, she said.
She also condemned the alleged restrictions imposed by Singjamei police against the democratic form of agitation staged by women vendors at Kakwa Keithel today.
"There is nothing illegal in demanding enlistment of Meitei/ Meetei in the ST category and this is within our rights", Sumati asserted.