WMC justifies ST demand; sit-in continues
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 14 2023:
The Central Executive Committee of World Meetei Council (CEC-WMC) has remarked that the Meetei community had been deprived of their rights as the rightful citizens of Manipur ever since the Indian Constitution was enforced in the state on January 26, 1950 .
In a statement released by its secretary general Yambem Arun Meetei, the Council stated that if the Meetei had been a migrant community like the Kuki-Chin, it (Meetei) would not have the legitimate right to claim the same.
However, inability of the Meetei to take the claim of rightful citizen between it and the Naga is all due to the selfish interests of the political leaders.
Instead of coming forward and calling for inclusion of Meetei in the ST list, the Congress party led by its CLP leader, has been making "careful" statements that are basically against the people of Manipur and the state itself.
On the other hand, it is appreciative of the chief minister to forward a written request to the central leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the matter.
However, there is the need on the part of the state government to submit the remaining required documents and further prevail upon the central leaders to ensure the inclusion of Meetei in the ST list, especially during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This is because of the upcoming delimitation exercise in 2024-25 to be carried out in Manipur and the effects of economic exclusion and demographics such as railways, roadways, Asian highways and airways, which are integral part of the state becoming a global village.
The effects will lead to the Meetei community becoming a marginalised community in a single generation, out of the 13-14 lakh people who are currently living in 6 percent of the total area of Manipur.
The statement continued that unconstitutional arrangements such as hill state, land law, etc., will not be able to prevent such a scenario.
In 2021, WMC had explained to the NDA government through the leaders of Sangh Parivaar and convinced them that the only way to save Meetei community is including the community in the ST list.
As such, WMC appealed to all like-minded organisations for cooperation amidst such a serious situation and to take the next steps while considering the changing dynamics to ensure the success of the movement.
The Council then appealed to the people to remain vigilant, while expressing concern over the future of Manipur if this collective goal is not obtained before the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, continuing its movement for inclusion of the indigenous Meetei/ Meitei community in the ST list, Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) staged a demonstration at Heirok Lamkhai, Wangjing on Tuesday.
During the demonstration, womenfolk raised slogans demanding inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list and reinstating the community to its former ST status.
They also said that there is no other way to save Meetei/Meitei than granting the community ST status and further urged the state government to send the requisite recommendation for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list to the central government at the earliest.