MSCST revival fortunate for hill people: HAC chief
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 27 2022:
Hill Areas Committee (HAC) chairman Dinganglung Gangmei has said that proper functioning of Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribe (MSCST) since the past few years is, indeed, very fortunate for people belonging to Scheduled Tribe.
Dinganglung stated this at an event organised as part of 'Seva Pakhwada' celebration marking the 72nd birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at ADC Bhavan, Sangakpham on Tuesday.
Attending as chief guest of the event organised by MSCST, Dinganglung Gangmei pointed out that MSCST remained defunct for a long time and was almost extinct at some point of time.
Hill people had even forgotten existence of a commission for the welfare of ST but the commission has been revived and started functioning actively since the past few years.
Since the commission started to take up various welfare programmes, hill people are now aware about the commission's activities, he said.
According to Dinganglung Gangmei, it was not by choice that hill people became ST but it was God given gift and all tribal communities should be proud of the ST identity given under Indian Constitution.
However, identities of some tribal communities of Manipur are being wrongly recognised like Chakesang community setting in Jessami, who are considered as Angami, he said, adding that Chakesang and Angami are different and they have dissimilar customs and traditions.
Chakesang community has every right to be recognised and MSCST should look into the matter and rectify the error in ST recognition, he added.
Later, Dinganglung Gangmei released the annual report (2021-22) of MSCST.
The event, which also had a blood donation camp organised in collaboration with Indian Red Cross Society Manipur Branch, was presided over by MSCST chairperson Thuingai Mathew Rongmei.
Manipur State Commission for Women chairperson Salam Ulka, Tamenglong MLA Jang-hemlung Panmei, BJP ST Morcha president Lanjaigai Kamei and BJP Manipur Pradesh secretary Paokam Haokip also attended the event.