STDCM stages sit-in at Singjamei
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 01 2022:
Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) and Singjamei Apunba Nupi Lup jointly staged a sit-in protest at Singjamei Keithel on Thursday, demand ing inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of the Indian Constitution.
Speaking on the sidelines, Nupi Lup publicity secretary Sumati Sougrakpam lamented over the state government's apathy towards the demand for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST list, made since 2011-12.Al though the movement was suspended due to Covid-19 pandemic, the demand is justified, considering the fact that Meetei/Meitei is a small indigenous community of the state, which if not protected with constitutional safeguards, will soon cease to exist owing to the arrival of trains and unregulated influx of outsiders.
Thus, she urged the state government to submit the necessary recommendation to the centre at the earliest, while cautioning of launching more intense agitations if the government continues to ignore the issue.
She also sought the support of the people in this regard.