Protest for ST status of Meetei resumes, WMC backs
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 28 2021:
Demanding sending of necessary recommendation by the government of Manipur to the Centre for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the SJ list of the Indian Constitution, Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) in coordination with clubs andforganisations of Khurai area staged a sit-in-protest at Lamlong Keithel on Thursday.
Speaking at the protest venue, STDC general secretary K Bhogendrajit remarked that time has come for the people to vote for political party or candidate which/who could end the issue of inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of Indian Constitution.
He said that protest for ST demand resumed from Thursday after a long layoff due to COVID-19 pandemic and the committee took serious note of suppression of the issue by the government of Manipur till date.
All the existing political parties of the state including BJP were invited for a meeting to deliberate over the issue on October 13 to draw their opinions but no representative from BJP took part in the meeting and this indeed was very unfortunate, Bhogendrajit said, adding that it was surprising that no ministers or MLA think about the issue at all.
While urging the government to translate into action the demand of STDCM before the upcoming assembly election, Bhogendrajit cautioned that the committee in coordination with the people are ready to launch different forms of agitation including bandh and blockade if the demand is not fulfilled.
Meanwhile, World Meetei Council (WMC) chairman Heigrujam Nabashyam has said that Meetei/Meitei community would become extinct from the globe after some decades if the ST status is not granted to the community.
He told media persons during a press conference at Manipur Press Club that Meetei/Meitei community was not listed in the ST list of Indian Constitution in the past due to wrong perception that the community is descendent of Aryan.
He said that a constitutional safeguard for the small community is very much needed for the present and future generations though there was a mistake in the past.
He then urged the government of Manipur to take up necessary action for saving the community from extinction by sending necessary recommendation to the centre for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of Indian Constitution.
He also lauded efforts being made by STDC and other organisations for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list.