'Govt ignoring ST demand for nearly 10 years'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 19 2022:
Expressing concern over uncertain future of the Meetei-Meitei community in their own motherland, Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) has decried the government for ignoring the demand for inclusion of the indigenous community in the ST list of the Constitution for nearly a decade now.
Continuing their protest in pursuance of the demand for ST status to Meetei-Meitei community, STDCM in association with Kongpal Social Development Organisation and Kongpal Khaidem Leikai Nupi Lup organised a sit-in protest at Pong Lambi Thongkhong, Kongpal Khaidem Leikai, Imphal East on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, STDCM leaders expressed concern over the future of the community in their own homeland in the absence of any constitutional protection.
Considering the law of the country, Meetei-Meitei community has not been identified as an indigenous community as the term 'indigenous' in the Constitution of India is similar to ST.
In such a situation, railway connectivity is about to reach Imphal within a few years thereby increasing the risk to the survival of the community.
Decrying the government for ignoring the matter for nearly a decade now despite the gravity of the situation, the STDCM leaders demanded the government for early submission of recommendation to the centre for ensuring constitutional protection for the community.