Sit-in seeks recommendation for ST status
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 14 2021:
Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) in collaboration with Sagolband Young Pioneers' Organisers (SYPO) and meira paibi activists organised a sit-protest at Sagolband Mabudhou Man-tri Leikai community hall on Sunday in continuation of its demand to the state government for sending requisite recommendation for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list to the Union government.
The demonstration was attended by STDCM former members Ayekpam Basanta and K Lokeshwor, STDCM general secretary K Bhogendrajit and vice president L Lokendra.
The protesters stated that they have been pressing the state and central governments for granting ST status to Meetei/Meitei, so that the community can have constitutional safeguard like other indigenous communities to protect its identity, land and legislative rights.
The Union government from 2013 onwards had been notifying to the state government for sending the recommendation in this regard.
In July this year, the central government had again apprised the state government for sending relevant recommendation without which further process cannot initiated on the issue, but the state government has kept the matter pending, they lamented.
Speakers at the protest further lambasted the government for remaining silent on their demands and urged it to send the recommendation at the earliest.