Human chain formed to press for ST status
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 12 2023:
In continuation of its agitations demanding inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDM) and womenfolk of Singjamei Keithel formed a human chain demonstration at Singjamei Keithel, here, on Thursday.
Speaking to the media on the side-lines, Singjamei Ima Keithel president Ningombam Ibetombi reasoned that inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in ST list is the only way to safeguard the community from extinction.
While urging the state government to send recommendations for inclusion of the-community in the ST category at the earliest, Ibetombi also cautioned the government that more intense agitations will be launched if it continues to ignore the demand.
During the agitation, the protestors also raised slogans such as "Include Meetei/ Meitei in Scheduled Tribe list", "the state government should send recommendations at the earliest", etc.