ST status demand reasonable: MLA Loken
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 11 2022:
As part of the ongoing agitation being launched by Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) pressing for sending recommendation to the Centre for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of Indian Constitution, a memorandum was submitted to Wangoi MLA Kh Loken on Sunday.
Under the aegis of Coordinating Body of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, representatives of various organisations went to the residence of MLA Loken's ancestral home at Yumnam Huidrom and submitted the memorandum.
After receiving the memorandum, MLA Kh Loken said that he fully supports the demand being raised by STDCM and inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of Indian Constitution is reasonable.
He also opined that bond of love among different indigenous communities of the state will be enhanced when all the communities get equal rights.
He said that there will be peace and understanding if all the indigenous communities of Manipur do not differentiate one another on the basis of OBC or SC status but put in the ST list of Indian Constitution collectively.
Stressing the need to achieve the ST status demand before arrival of train in the state, MLA Loken said that the future generation of Meetei/Meitei community would face a big challenge if constitutionally unprotected valley areas of the state are not put under protected area before the arrival of train.
He also offered to extend all possible help in fulfilling the STDCM's demand.