MLA Brojen joins ST demand supporters' list
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 07 2022:
Even as some tribal bodies have been raising their opposition to the movement demanding enlistment of Meetei/Meitei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of the Constitution, the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) continues to take their demand to the doorsteps of valley legislators.
Today, the STDCM called on Wangjing Tentha AC MLA Paonam Brojen at his official quarters at Babupara and submitted a memorandum to send the recommendation and other documents sought by the Centre to examine whether Meetei/Meitei can be added in the ST list of the Constitution.
Notably, the STDCM has been urging the State Government to forward the ethnography and socio-economic reports of the Meetei/Meitei to the Centre since the past 10 years or so.
|
After receiving the memorandum, the MLA assured to extend all possible support to secure the future of the Meetei/Meitei.
It is to be noted that the movement of STDCM has been gaining momentum as the majority of the valley MLAs they met endorsed their demand.
Volunteers of STDCM also had a discussion with the MLA on the need to include the ethnic group in the ST list.
Speaking to media persons, P Brojen said that Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland were ST States/regions when they became parts of India.
Saying that the Meetei/Meitei was categorised as General and Scheduled Caste over the passage of time, the MLA said that the Meetei/Meitei worshipping Umang Lai itself is an indication of them being a tribe in the past.
He further stated that what the STDCM has been demanding is reversion of Meetei/Meitei to their original status.
Adding the ethnic group in the ST list will not harm the interest of other communities, Brojen said.
Expressing his endorsement to the movement being spearheaded by the STDCM, the MLA opined that the bond shared between the hill people and valley people will be strengthened if Meetei/Meitei is added in the ST list.