ST status demand for Meiteis Don't recommend: ZCOs to State Govt
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 03 2022:
The Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs), comprising of Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Youth Front and Zeliangrong Students' Union, has issued a word of caution for the State Government while taking a decision regarding the demand of ST status for Meiteis.
In a statement issued today, ZCOs said the inclusion of Meitei in ST list of India is a matter of great concern for the tribal people of the State who have been deprived of their rights despite the existence of certain Constitutional protection and safeguards.
ZCOs added that the only assets of the tribal people of the State are their ancestral land and the representation of tribal people in the employment sectors through ST reservation policy.
But their land is now threatened and they will be deprived of their representation through reservation if Meiteis are included in the ST list which has created a sense of apprehension and insecurity amongst the tribal community ever since the Meitei started demanding ST status, added the statement.
Civil unrest cannot be ruled out if the Government recommends the inclusion of Meitei in the ST list as such a decision can be taken as an attempt to render the tribal people face more suffering and deprivation in the days to come, ZCOs warned in the statement.
Maintaining that the Meitei community enjoy different reservations under SC and OBC categories, the presence of tribal representation in the employment sector will be severely diluted if the Meitei community, which are highly educated, influenced and economically advanced, are included in the ST list, the ZCOs said.
ZCOs also appealed the State Government to be tactful and not take any hasty decision regarding the ST demand for Meiteis.