STDCM decries bid to portray Committee in bad light
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 10 2022:
Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) general secretary K Bhogendrajit has strongly condemned the statements made by a public official in an attempt to portray the Committee in a bad light during the live discussion programme on a local cable news network on September 6.Addressing a press meet held at the Committee's office at Thangmeiband Khu-nthokhanbi Shanglen here on Saturday, K Bhogendrajit said that the official's statements are an attempt to hinder the indigenous rights and survival of Meetei/Meitei community.
It is wrong of a person, especially a public official to make arbitrary, tactless statements.
If there is any misunderstanding, then they are welcome to visit the Committee's office or contact STDCM members to get an understanding as well as offer suggestions on the matter.
The statement that no representation was submitted to the CM with regard to ST is baseless, considering it was submitted on December 30, 2021 before the Code of Conduct for the assembly election came into effect.
Additionally, another representation was submitted to the PM during his visit to the state on January 4 through the state's chief secretary, a copy of which was also forwarded to the CM.
Informing that the Committee requests donations from specific people before organising conventions, meetings and rallies; the general secretary said that aside from the public visiting the office and generously donating to the cause out of their own will, the Committee has never sought donations from the people.
If there is shortage of funds, there have been instances of ex-committee members making up the deficit immediately with whatever money they had on their persons.
Thus, the claim that STDCM is embezzling funds is ridiculous and seems to be conjured out of personal hatred.
Anyone wanting to know the details of the funds is welcome to come to the office and check, he conveyed.
Meanwhile, STDCM had met the CM with the support of MLA Rameshwor.
The state government is to take a decision for inclusion of Meetei/ Meitei in the ST list and forward a recommendation of the same to the Indian government.
The preparation of all necessary documents is the government's concern and responsibility, not STDCM, Bhogendrajit pointed out.
Remarking that the present government is hesitant about inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list; the general secretary said that the matter is not being delayed due to lack of the two important reports, as claimed by the public official.
The official lacks understanding of the matter and as such, tried to sow discord and portrayed the public movement in bad light.
Regarding the Committee's ongoing protests, Bhogendrajit informed that mass sit-in protests are being staged across the state since August 26 .
Thus, he urged for respecting the peaceful and democratic approach of the people, while cautioning that other forms of protests would be launched if the state government continues to feign ignorance over the matter.