HC decree on ST demand issue peeves UNC
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network
Senapati, April 25 2023:
United Naga Council (UNC) has expressed sadness over High Court of Manipur's directive to the government of Manipur to recommend for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of India.
UNC said that "the Meitei/Meetei community of Manipur is an advanced community of India" with their language, Manipuri (Meiteilon) listed in the Eight Schedule of the constitution of India.
"They are already protected under the constitution of India and categorised as (i) General (ii) Other Backward Classes (OBC) and (iii) Scheduled Caste (SC)," the Naga body said, adding that it is irrational that the High Court of Manipur directed the government of Manipur to recommend for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of India, "negating the sole objective of scheduling group of people for protective discrimination as ST in the constitution of India" .
United Naga Council (UNC), therefore, takes strong exception to the 'inane order" of the Manipur High Court dated March 27 directing the government to make the recommendation despite strong opposition from Scheduled tribes of the state" .