Sit-in staged in demand for ST tag
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 29 2023:
People of Khurai staged a sit-in protest demanding inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe list of the Constitution today.
Locals, Meira Paibis and members of Reformers' Club Khurai Nandeibam/Puthiba Leikai took part in the sit-in organised under the banner of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) .
At the sit-in, the protestors demanded the State Government to send the specific recommendations along with the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report to the Centre's Ministry of Tribal Affairs for its consideration to include the Meitei/Meetei community in the list of the Scheduled Tribes.
It may be noted that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had written to the State Government to send the recommendations and the required records back in 2013 .
During the sit-in today, Social Reformers' Club executive committee member, Mongjam Hemanta said the Meitei/Meetei community is facing threats on multiple fronts.
The community is likely to become a minority with uncontrolled and illegal influx of immigrants.
When all the other communities face no restriction as to where they can settle, the Meitei/Meetei people are allowed to settle only in the valley area, which is 1/10 of the total area of Manipur, he said.
Giving the ST status would safeguard the Meitei/Meetei Constitutionally and it is the only way to protect the community, their identity and culture, he added.
He also lauded the STDCM for spearheading the demand and said the movement is an important step, necessary to protect the community and its future.
As a part of the demonstration, the gathering took out a rally and raised slogans demanding ST status for the Meitei/Meetei community.
The rally started from the venue of the sit-in and proceeded towards Lamlong Keithel, Ukhrul Road and Chandam Leirak before culminating at the starting point.