ST demand campaign continues
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 05 2016 :
Co-ordinating Body on Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (CBSTDCM) organised a one day meeting cum awareness campaign at Lalambung community hall today.
The meeting attended by a large number of people including womenfolk resolved to endorse the demand for inclusion of Meiteis/Meeteis in the ST list.
Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) president retired Professor Y Mohendro, STDCM secretary Col (Retd) L Lokendro, retired Senior SP of Nagaland police, P Sonamai, former Human Rights Commission Member RK Rajendro and Mutum Rajendro attended the meeting as presidium members.
P Sonamai said that there is a misconception in the mind of some people that inclusion of Meitei/Meetei would lower the status of the community.
Stating that this notion is totally wrong, Sonamani said that this would bring equality and unity among the people of different communities of the State.
Outside influence has been creating disunity in the State since the past many decades, he said and added that people must understand the life and traditions of Meiteis/Meeteis before the advent of Hinduism in Manipur.
On the other hand, he lauded JCILPS for spearheading the mass movement for ILPS implementation.
Sonamani said that the current generation must put in all possible efforts to protect the indigenous people of the State.
Other talkers of the meeting emphasised on the need to have a Constitutional safeguard for the indigenous people of the State.
Later, the meeting resolved to pledge support to the movement for inclusion of Meiteis/Meeteis in the ST list spearheaded by CBSTDCM.