ST status must for Meetei for effective ILPS: WMC
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kakching, December 12 2024:
World Meetei Council (WMC), Manipur State Unit, has stated that including the Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of the Indian Constitution is essential for meaningful and successful implementation of the Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) in the state.
In a statement, WMC, Manipur said that the people of the state must understand that the ongoing agitation for the inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list will ultimately contribute to strengthening of the ILPS in Manipur.
The statement pointed out that the valley region of Manipur constitutes only 6.5 per cent of the state's total land area.
If outsiders are allowed to settle in the state, the situation could deteriorate significantly.
In one or two decades, political power could shift to outsiders as in the case of Jiribam district, where the Meetei community is unable to freely practice cultural and religious activities.
If this trend continues, similar conditions could spread to the Imphal valley as well.
To prevent this from happening, the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei community in the ST list is deemed essential, the statement maintained.
It also raised concern about the future of the ILPS, noting that the Supreme Court could potentially invalidate the current implementation of the ILPS.
This is because the ILPS could be viewed as an infringement on the fundamental rights of people from other states.
In fact, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the ILPS in Manipur was filed by an organisation called AMRA Bangali in 2022, the Council cautioned.
The WMC also pointed to the actions of various organisations and political parties in other states, such as Assam and Sikkim, which have taken steps to demand inclusion of various communities in the ST list.
In Assam, six communities, including the Ahom, are seeking ST status, supported by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), while in Sikkim, 12 communities are making similar demands.
The Sikkim state government has formed high-level committee to consider these requests.
However, it is unfortunate that in Manipur, the state government has failed to even provide the two necessary reports sought by the central government for consideration of Meeteis" inclusion in the ST list.
The WMC also warned that the future of the Meetei community could be jeopardised if the delimitation process is carried out before the identification of outsiders is completed.
In such a scenario, the Kukis could gain political advantage through the delimitation process.
The statement highlighted that the Meetei community's political future hinges on their inclusion in the ST list during this process.
Without such inclusion, the Meetei community's existence could be at risk.
Finally, the WMC called on the public to support the demand for Meeteis' inclusion in the ST.
list, alongside organisations such as the STDCM and MMTU, for the welfare of future generations of the Meetei community.
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