STDCM submits memo to minister Dingo
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 22 2022: Carrying forward the movement for securing constitutional safeguard of Meetei/Meitei community by including it the ST list of the Constitution, Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) submitted a memorandum to Sekmai MLA and Social Welfare minister Heikham Dingo at his official quarters located at Checkon, here, on Saturday.

Members of STDCM along with different organisations carried a huge banner inscribed with slogan demanding inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list and headed to the minister's quarters to submit the memorandum.

Speaking in this regard, STDCM Youth Wing convenor N Edison recounted that the Committee has been launching different forms of protest demanding the inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list.

As a part of the protest movement, members of the Committee launched a campaign of reaching out to MLAs and ministers to submit memorandum and to know the stand of the elected members on the issue, he continued, while adding that minister Dingo is the third legislator to be handed over the memorandum, the first two being Singjamei MLA and MAHUD minister Yumnam Khemchand and Khurai MLA and CAD & PD minister Susindro.

Similar visits to residences of ministers and MLAs will continue, he added.

Informing that Susindro gave positive reply to their demand, Edison conveyed that minister Dingo was not present when they visit his official residence to hand over the memorandum.

After communicating with him, the minister not only took the memorandum but also made a statement.

Edison further said that the committee is working together with more than 10 organisations and around 70 people jointly went to the residence of the minister for submit the memo.

In the later course of protest movement, the committee may take out torch rally, block half the road to stage protest, etc.

General strike and bandh may be called in addition to submission of memorandum; however such decision is yet to be taken, he said.

He urged the chief minister, council of ministers, MLAs of both ruling and opposition party to take up necessary steps and ensure inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list.

Meanwhile, Heikham Dingo maintained that the movement launched by STDCM will be successful if their demand is appropriate and further continued that the government is yet to take any decision regarding their demand.

However, all steps necessary will be taken up if their demand is rightful, he added.

The submission of memorandum was attended by representatives of IKAL, WUM, EMC, KEDO, KIMACS, MSA and executive members of STDCM.

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