Send recommendation: STDCM, WMC
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 23 2021: World Meitei Convention and Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) has urged the government to adopt a resolution during the ongoing session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to recommend the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Schedule Tribe (ST) list so as to prevent the distortion of the history of the state by outsiders and also protect the rights of the indigenous people.

A joint press meet was held near Singjamei Supermarket on Monday which was attended by World Meitei Convention chairman Heikrujam Nabashyam, advisor Potsangbam Sonamani, STDCM vice president Laitonjam Borajao and ex-working president and patron member Moirangthem Nongdrenkhomba.

Speaking to newspersons, Nabashyam noted that STDCM had been demanding the central and state governments for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST List since 2012-13, including carrying out rallies and staging protests for the same.

The main issue is when the Indian Constitution was enforced in 1950, some leaders of Manipur at the time tagged the Meitei/Meetei community to be part of the Aryan Society.

This move has now rendered the indigenous defenseless and deprive of their rights.

Owing to this, the indigenous people can only stay in 10 parts of the land, displaying an air of "Living like a stranger in one own land".

Stating that the demand for inclusion in ST List is a demand for the rights of the indigenous people, the chairman urged the CM to help rectify the attempts being made to distort the history of the state, while adding that the total population of the Meitei/Meetei community (18 lakh) alone cannot compete against the 1.3 million population of the country.

STDCM vice president Laitonjam Borajao denounced the state government for not recommending the inclusion of Meitei /Meetei in ST list but no action has been taken up till date.

This has led to imposition of various laws in the state, which has only affected the relationship between the hill and the valley.

"If the Meitei/Meetei had been included in the ST list, it would have prevented any misunderstanding between the hill and the valley", he said, while urging the opposition MLAs to think deeply and to bring up the matter to the House for discussion.

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