Sit-in for ST status continues; STDCM calls shutdown
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 20 2021:
Even as protest in support of ST status of Meetei/Meitei community continues, the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) announced that its proposed 18 hours total shutdown from December 28 midnight has been preponed and it will now come into effect from December 27 midnight.
Announcing this in a statement, STDC Manipur said a public convention held on December 16 decided to impose 18 hours total shutdown from December 28 midnight if state government fails to send recommendation for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of Indian Constitution by 3pm of December 27.However, the total shutdown has been preponed and it will now be effective from December 27 midnight as December 29 happens to be Meira Paibi Numit, the statement said and appealed to the people to support the committee and make the shutdown effective.
Meanwhile, sit-in-protest in support of STD-CM's demand for ST status of Meetei/Meitei continues unabated.
Clubs and Meira Paibi groups of Wangkhei Khunou Soibam Leikai along with students staged sit-in-protest in support of the demand at Citizens' Club ground Monday.
Addressing the gathering, STDCM general secretary K Bhogendrajit said the public convention held on December 16 at Ima Khunthokhanbi Shanglen decided to impose total shutdown if the state government fails to send recommendation to Central government for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in ST list of Indian Constitution by December 27 .
The government should act positively or else the shutdown will go ahead and government shall be responsible for any untoward incident, he added.
Citizens' Club advisor Mahendra Naorem said organisations and committees falling under the operational jurisdiction of the club will extend support to the ongoing movement for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list as there is nothing wrong in Meetei/Meitei getting ST status and constitutional protection.
He also vowed to support the proposed total shutdown of STDCM.