STDCM, WMC warn of agitation
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 17 2021:
The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has cautioned of imposing a state-wide 18-hour total shutdown if the government does not send the necessary recommendation for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the Scheduled Tribe List to the Centre.
On Thursday, STDCM convened a public meeting at Ima Khunthokhanbi Shanglen, DMU campus, wherein various resolutions were adopted.
The resolutions included demanding the state government to forward the requisite recommendation by 3pm of December 27, failing which an 18-hour state-wide total shutdown will be imposed from December 28 midnight.
If the government continues to remain apathetic to the demand even after the shutdown, protests will be staged in all markets in the valley, along with picketing of central and state government offices, and conduct of torch rallies.
Meanwhile, demanding submission of the ethnographic and socio-economic report within December 27 to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, World Meetei Council (WMC) has cautioned of launching intense protest if the government fails to do so.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press here On Friday, WMC chairman Heikhrujam Nabashyam informed that WMC along with 17 organisations supports the demand of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list.
The state government should send the ethnographic and socio-economic report of the Meetei community to Ministry of Tribal Affairs within December 27 .
The election code of conduct is not related in anyway with sending of the report.
If the government could not prepare the report, then they can draft it by consulting with researchers, scholars and those who frame policy-programme of the government within seven days.
He further pointed out that the ministry had already asked the state government to send the report way back in 2013.Unfortunately, the previous government as well as the present government failed to send the report.
Several memorandums were submitted and protests launched in this regard, he added.
The indigenous Meetei community has been living like second class citizen in the state.
They do not have any rights of land other than the small piece of land in the valley.
Moreover, there is rising influx of migrant workers from neighbouring states, he noted, while expressing apprehension that Meetei will become extinct if the government fails to include Meetei in the ST list.
The consequences will be observed in the 2027 election, he opined.
Reiterating the demand of sending the recommendation for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list within December 27, Nabashyam cautioned of launching series of protests from December 28 onwards if the government ignores it.