ST campaign
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 11 2018:
A meeting of the Panchayat Members, leaders/representatives of clubs and Meira Paibis of Moirang Ngakhak Leikai, was organised under the theme Scheduled Tribe Status amadi Meitei/Meetei by the Coordina-ting Body of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (CBSTDCM) Bishnupur district yesterday.
L Ratanku-mar, executive member of the association, stated that with the increase in population of the State, the habitable area is also becoming smaller, said CBSTDCM in a statement.
The arrival of train service in the State will further threaten the survival of the Meitei population thus raising the importance of the need for including Meiteis in the ST list, he added.
On the other hand, M Churamani, convenor of CBSTDCM stated that after Manipur merged with India, the Central Government has sanctioned huge amount for funds for the development of the State but the funds have only helped some people/parties while the survival of the Meitei community hangs in the balance.
Mentioning that the budget session is currently under way, the convenor questioned if the discussion during the Assembly sessions will be able to save the Meitei community from the effects of Act East initiative and globalization.
The convenor further stressed on the need for the people as well as the political leaders to stand together for the inclusion of Meitei community in the ST list at the earliest, it added.