MMTU demands Assembly call on ST demand
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 05 2025: Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MMTU) has called upon the state government to discuss and adopt resolution on the long-pending demand for the inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list of the Indian Constitution during the upcoming state assembly session, which is set to commence on February 10.In a statement, MMTU also urged the government to clarify its position on the demand and update the public on the steps taken so far by incorporating the issue in the Governor's address.

The Union recalled that various political parties and elected representatives, including MPs and MLAs, had earlier assured commitment to securing ST status for the Meetei/Meitei community.

MMTU insisted that the legislators introduce a private member resolution to ensure discussion on the same.

Highlighting that most indigenous communities in the Northeast have been granted ST status, MMTU asserted that inclusion in the ST list is the only constitutional safeguard that can protect the Meetei community from eminent obliteration.

It observed that the governments of Assam and Sikkim had already passed resolutions recommend ing ST status for indigenous communities settling in these states.

However, despite the critical nature of the issue, political parties in Manipur continue to ignore it, MMTU lamented.

The Union pointed out that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had sent communications to the state government five times since 2013, seeking necessary documents and recommendations for Meetei/ Meitei's inclusion in the ST list.

Recently, MP Dr Bimol Akoijam raised the issue in Parliament, where the Central government responded that the demand had not been taken up due to the state government's failure to submit a recommendation.

MMTU further recalled that in 1981, the then Rishang Keishing-led government had adopted a cabinet resolution on the matter, but since then, no government has taken any concrete step to fulfil the more than five-decade-old demand.

Further, MMTU alleged that former home secretary T Kipgen had refused to send a recommendation for the Meetei/Meitei ST demand but had instead sent a recommendation for the inclusion of any Kuki Tribe in the ST list to facilitate recognition for Myanmarese refugees.

The Union expressed concern oyer the rapid decline of the Meetei population, which is becoming a minority community, and highlighted the lack of constitutional protections despite Manipur's merger with India.

MMTU warned that the immigrants from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Nepal are posing an existential threat to the community and argued that ST status has nothing to do with past civilisation, citing the recognition of Kshetriyas as STs.

It condemned the denial of ST status to the indigenous Meetei while according importance to the Myanmarese refugees.

Referring to official reports indicating the establishment of over 2,700 illegal villages-across the state due to unchecked immigration, the Union stressed the urgent need to address these core issues.

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