ST demand call rings through at Jiri
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 15 2023:
People at Jiribam under STDCM's banner staged a protest demonstration and raised slogans demanding inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribes' list of the Constitution today.
Organised by the branches of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) at Jiribam and Cachar, the demonstration reiterated the committee's appeal to the Government to send the specific recommendations and along with the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report, sought by the Centre's Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 2013, for consideration of the proposal for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei community in the ST list.
During the demonstration, STDCM's organisation secretary, Irom Rajen said the committee has been demanding the ST status for Meitei/Meetei for more than 10 years, however the State Government has not yet sent the recommendations and records sought by the Ministry till today.
Inclusion of the Meitei/Meetei in the ST list is the only way to save the community.
It is a legitimate right of the people of the community to protect themselves, their identity and culture.
Recognising the Meitei/Meetei as a member of the Scheduled Tribes poses no threat to any other community, Rajen said.
The people at the demonstration raised slogans demanding ST status for Meitei/Meetei and urged the State Government to send the recommendations sought by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs at the earliest.
It may be noted here that the demonstration at Jiribam today was a continuation of the series of democratic agitations STDCM has been organising across the State.
Significantly, the STDCM's movement has gained mammoth momentum with many Ministers and MLAs openly supporting the ST demand.
Notably, the committee members had visited the elected representatives and sought their support.