Posers raised on ST status demand by Meitei body
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2013 : While ex-pressing that the ongoing campaign by the Scheduled Tribe demand Committee for according ST status to the Meitei community lacks jus-tification if the objective is to derive job reservation facility, former legislator Dr Khashim Ruivah called upon the tribal people for deeper introspection into the demand.

Speaking as one of the pa-nellists at a panel discussion held today at Tribal Research Institute, Chingmeirong, Dr Ruivah highlighted that ST category was granted to certain group of communities to enable them plug the gap of socio-economic disparity with the more affluent communities.

Reminding that it is mandatory to fulfil certain pres- cribed criteria in case a particular community pursues ST status conferment, he also recounted that general cate-gory Meitei people were reluctant to be covered under the ST class as they conceived people under such category to be inferior.

Clarifying that it would be a misconception if ST status is perceived to be the gateway for becoming IAS officers, Dr Ruivah observed that the present generation of the Meitei people demanding ST status would also be a betrayal to their forefathers who considered the majority community to be superior com- pared to the tribal.

Delegate speaks during panel discussion

Moreover, as ST status is specifically granted to the economically backward class of people, the Meiteis should assess whether they are eligible to become ST, he stated and advised the tribal people not to act on panic in the issue.

Earlier, presenting the welcome address event host All Tribal students' Union Mani-pur (ATSUM) general secre- tary Vareiyo Shatsang noted that consequent to a memorandum submitted by the ST Demand Committee of Mani-pur Prime Minister Dr Man- mohan Singh responded that the Central Government could approve the demand if the State Cabinet adopts a resolution on the said issue.

Conveying that tribal people have no objection against granting ST status to the Meiteis, he however asserted that there should be certain conditions.

Expressing surprise on the Committee demanding ST status for the Meitei people by construing that as such a move would amount to declaring that the general cate- gory community could not make much headway, economically, Vareiyo insisted that even if Meiteis become STs there should be separate administration system for the tribal people.

The aTSUM-hosted panel discussion on the theme 'Constitutional Perspective of Scheduled Tribes vis-a-vis the Communities of Manipur' was held with Thangjamang Lhouvum as the moderator while MU Tribal Students' Union general secretary Andria Anal and Mungmila A Shatsang as the rapporteur.

Besides Dr Ruivah, Dr Helmang Touthang, Daniel Ramson, Akhiam Panmei, Dr Benjamin Gangmei, Heni Ahrai and Khupchinpou Guite were the other panel members.

NNN adds: after a prolonged deliberation tribal leaders present at the panel discussion adopted a unanimouse decision for the well being of the tribal people.

The meeting resolved that a 'core committee' inclusive of the members from various disciplines under the aegis of ATSUM be formed at the earliest.

It was also resolved that anything related to the administration of the hills should be referred to the Hill Area Committee (HAC) under Article 371(C) to secure effective governance of the hills.