MTU demands assembly resolution on ST issue
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 05 2023:
Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MTU) secretary Ch Nandalal has urged chief minister N Biren Singh to initiate steps including adopting a resolution in the state assembly during the upcoming Wither Session for sending the requisite recommendation to the Centre for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of Indian Constitution.
Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club, here, on Thursday, Ch Nandalal said that 34 indigenous communities inhabiting in Manipur except Meetei/Meitei have been listed in the ST list of Iridian Constitution.
Meetei/Meitei community is a tribe and this is being shown in the gazette notifications issued by the government from time to time.
The Puya (royal chronicle) of Manipur clearly mentions that Meetei/Meitei is tribe but the state government is still reluctant to send recommendation to the Centre.
MTU will be the first organisation to erect statue of CM Biren when Meetei/Meitei figures in the ST list and if not the anger of public will fall on the chief minister and MLAs, he said.
According to Ch Nandalal, population of Meetei/ Meitei is only around 10 lakh and there is no means for the community to survive among 130 crore mainland Indians who belong to general category.
Inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of Indian Constitution is the only means to save the community from extinction as the community has no constitutional provisions for its own safeguard.
The ST status demand is being supported by majority of MLAs of the state and Central leaders but it is surprising that the state government remains silent on the issue, he said.