'Tribal Solidarity March' denounces ST demand by Meetei
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 03 2023: In Senapati district, around 5000 and mistakes shall be remedied by their member stated that the moment has now people participated in the March held show of unity and solidarity.

The rally come for all to retrospect how vain those Imphal: The 'Tribal Solidarity March' under the banner, "Come now, let us was participated by a multitude of tribal solitary journeys have been.

called by All Tribal Students' Union of reason together".

The rally partici- brothers and sisters at every district "We are now on the brink of being Manipur (ATSUM) to express dissent pated by the general populace of Mao, headquarters across the hills to show deprived of the rights, protection and against the demand by the Meetei com- Maram, Poumai, Thangal and Zelian- to the world that the tribal people of safeguard provided to us as Scheduled munity for its inclusion in the Scheduled grong communities of Senapati district Manipur have finally found a common Tribe by the Constitution of India.

The Tribe (ST) category evoked overwhelm- was organised by the Senapati District ground to reason together that, in order demand of ST status by the socially and ing response in all the hill districts on Students' Association (SDSA) to survive as a tribal community in the economically advanced Meitei community Wednesday.

Giving a clarion call to the gathering state of Manipur, all the tribal commu- nity of the state is illogical and unfair.

ItAs per reports received here, tribal after the rally, ATSUM tribunal member nities have to come together and unite has posed a grave threat to the existence villagers from interior hill areas came in L David Choro, called the day a day of despite their differences, he said.

of the tribals of this state.

It has deeply buses and open trucks to the nearest hill reckoning for all the tribal people of the Saying that they have separated their disturbed the sentiment and the sense district headquarters to attend the rallies, state.

He stated that the past misdeeds ways for far too long, the ATSUM tribunal of security of the tribal people who are otherwise protected under the provisions of the constitutions.

This demand is relentlessly being pursued by the STDCM despite strong voice of dissent from the tribal communities of the state.

The tribal people opposed this demand on valid reasons that the Meitei community is comparatively an advanced community that does not merit their inclusion as scheduled tribe in the constitution.

Their inclusion in the ST list will render baseless the whole objective of scheduling a group of people for protective discrim ination in the constitution, he said.

"We are being questioned of our rights, our identity and our relationship with our land.

Our rich and complex histories, both oral and written are being contested by the dominant narrative that champions the interest of one community in the state.

The collusion of state power and one community's interest in the state is a direct threat to our political rights, social fabric and future generations, " David Choro continued.

"Therefore, as tribal of the state peacefully march in solidarity, let every tribal bear in mind at all times that they must dissuade the state government from recommending the Meitei ST demand to the central government.

The state government must listen to the voice of the tribal people that, under any circumstances, it must not recommend the Meitei ST Status demand, " he added.

David went on to say that together they shall continue with their fight to defend their rights, their land and secure their future.

They shall continue to seek the support and cooperation of all tribal stakeholders in the protection and advancing the tribal rights and interests in the state.

They shall protect, conserve and preserve their environment.

It is their solemn duty to look after their forests, rivers, streams and natural habitat because for centuries, they have been the custodians of the forests and hills they call home and will do everything to protect them for nature and for their future generations, he said.

Slogan was shouted by all participants as "Long Live Tribal Unity! Stop divide and rule policy.

" " Placards written as "How can a community with two-third seats in assembly demand ST status? ", "Meiteis are not tribal, they are SC, OBC & Brahmin", "Stop thriving by exploiting tribal and our rights", "There is no Govt land in the hill areas", etc., were held by the rallyists.

A memorandum addressed to the President of India through deputy commissioner of Senapati was also submitted at the end of the rally.

In Noney district, the Solidarity March was held on Wednesday in and around Noney town under the aegis of various civil organisations.

The march started from Longmai Town bridge point and culminated at Longmai Common Ground, Noney.

Thousands of people took part in the rally in which Achapou Newmai, assistant secretary, youth affairs & sports (ATSUM) spoke to the crowd about the solidarity march.

Later, five memoranda representing Zeliangrong Students' Union Manipur (ZSUM), Rongmei Naga Students' Organisation Manipur (RN-SOM), Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi, Manipur, All Inpui Students' Union (AISU) and from the joint CSOs of Longmai (Noney) district, Manipur regarding the demand for ST status for the Meetei/Meiteis were submitted to the President through the Noney DC at the latter's office.

During the march, all shops and business establishments were closed at Longmai Bazar and there was no report of untoward incidents.

Kangpokpi: The ATSUM-called "Solidarity March in Kangpokpi district ended peacefully on Wednesday.

Speaking to the media, ATSUM finance secretary, who is also one of the in-charges of the Solidarity March in Kangpokpi district, pointed out "today one thing has become very obvious, the unity of the tribal people in Manipur has come out to the fold considering the massive spontaneous response to the call of ATSUM" .

He continued that the healthy response of the tribal populace also demonstrated that the tribal are united on the issue of ST demand by the Meetei/Meitei community.

Responding to a query over the counter-blockade in some valley districts, Kakai Singsit said that it was very unfortunate as the Solidarity March' is a peaceful rally without any form of bandh, blockade, or agitation while adding that if such a human blockade continues it will have a massive negative impact.

He then appealed to those enforcing counter-blockade to lift the same in the larger interest of peace and harmony.

Regarding the ST demand imbroglio in Manipur, the secretary asserted that the only way forward is for our Meetei/Meitei brethren is to step back from the ST demand.

Meanwhile, during a short meeting at Brig M Thomas Ground, one of the tribal leaders said: "If our voice opposing the ST demand by the Meetei/Meitei community is not heard through our peaceful approach, then, the day will come for us to put our heads together for demanding a separate administration.

More than 5000 people participating in the ATSUM's 'Solidarity March' begin walking the almost 3 Km stretch along the National Highway-2 from Yaikongpao village playground (the starting point) at 11 am and reached Brig M Thomas ground around 12: 30 pm.

The rallyists shouted the slogan, "Hat in lang, Hangin ", which means, "Be Bold and Courageous" all through the highway apart from various other slogans.

The rally then marched towards the deputy commissioner's office where some ATSUM representatives accompanied by leaders of other tribal organisations met the DC and submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India.

All shops in Kangpokpi town were seen closed during the solidarity rally while private educational institutions also declared holiday for the day.

Kakching: Raising strong objection to the demand to include Meetei/Meitei in the Scheduled Tribe list, the tribal solidarity march was taken out in Chandel district with many taking part in the rally.

The solidarity march organ -ised by Naga Students' Union Chandel (NSUC) and Kuki Stu dents' Organisation (KSO), Chandel under the auspices of ATSUM, was participated by different tribal communities, students, members of different organisations, religious leaders and village chiefs of Chandel 'district.

The rally kicked off from Chandel Indoor hall, passed through Japhou Bazar and continued till Chandel DC office complex, where the rallyists submitted a mem orandum to the President of India through DC Mayanglambam Rajkumar.

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