Table ST demand issue in assembly: MTU to Govt
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 18 2023:
Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MTU) has urged the government to table the demand for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list in the Manipur Legislative Assembly session which is scheduled to begin from February 3 .
Briefing media persons at Manipur Press Club here on Wednesday, MTU secretary (administration) Mutum Churamani said that inclusion of Meetei in the ST list is undeniable and further recalled that the union had sent more than 50 references regarding the matter and discussed them minutely.
During the British rule, Meetei/Meitei was included in the ST list in 1935 according to Government of India Act, 1935 .
However, the community got included in the general category since 1950 .
Stating that Meetei community fulfils all the criteria for re-inclusion in the ST list, he pointed out that numerous documents reaffirming the aforementioned facts were submitted to the Prime Minister, the President of India, union minister concerned, Governor and chief minister.
It is unfortunate that Meetei community is not included in ST list despite fulfilling all the criteria, he said and appealed to the government for tabling the issue in the upcoming state legislative assembly session.
Churamani also cautioned of launching intense protest by joining hands with likeminded groups if the government ignores the demand.