STDCM, FIDM observe Indigenous People's Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 10 2024: The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) observed the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples at Manipur Press Club on Friday.

Apart from the UN's theme "Protecting the rights of indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact", the STDCM observation of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples had a sub-theme which was "Position of indigenous Meitei/Meetei within India" .

Senior Advocate and former Chairperson, Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Khaidem Mani and STDCM working president Lt Col (retd) Laishram Lokendra graced the observation as chief guest and president respectively.

STDCM general secretary K Bhogendrajit opened the observation by delivering a key-note address.

While noting that the UN has been giving special attention to protect the indigenous people and uphold their rights, Bhogendrajit lamented that the indigenous Meitei people of Manipur have not been given any king of constitutional protection by the Government of India.

Prof Yumnam Premananda, HoD, Law Department, Manipur University highlighted the need for all indigenous communities of India to get listed in the Scheduled Tribe category.

Khaidem Mani underscored the necessity to exert pressure on the State Government continuously so that the State Government does the needful with regard to the popular demand for enlisting Meitei/Meetei in the ST category.

Lt Col (retd) L Lokendra stated that the State Government must take a decision to send the requisite recommendation to the Government of India for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST category.

The gathering unanimously agreed that the State Government must initiate necessary procedures to secure constitutional protection for the Meitei community by way of enlisting the community in the ST category, according to a press release issued by the STDCM.

The Federation of Indigenous People's Democratic Movement (FIDM) too observed the International Day of the World's Indigenous People at IMA Hall, Lamphel.

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