STDCM convenes public convention on Oct 6
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 10 2024: To work out strategies in pursuance of the demand for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the Scheduled Tribes list of the Indian Constitution, Scheduled Tribes Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) will organise a public convention at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, here, on October 6.In a statement, STDCM appealed to clubs, CSOs, meira paibi groups, student bodies and stakeholders concerned to participate in the public convention.

It also urged for submitting any statements relating to the ST demand in writing via WhatsApp, email or deliver the same to the STDCM in advance.

The statement also criticised the state government's failure to resolve the crisis lingering since May 3 last year after the solidarity march organised by ATSUM against an order by the Manipur High Court related to the ST demand turned violent.

While acknowledging that momentum for the ST demand has waned due to the prevailing crisis, the statement emphasised that the demand remains active and continues to evoke support from various organisations.

It underscored the importance not to interlink the ST demand with other issues and agitations, while affirming that the ST demand shall not be compromised or negotiated alongside other demands.

While expressing resentment against the chief minister and the present government not taking any notable initiatives for granting ST status to the Meeteis/Meiteis, the Committee advised the state government to take up necessary steps to complete the process and send the recommendation as proposed by the central government.

Expressing frustration over the chief minister and the state government undermining the demand for inclusion of Meeteis/Meiteis in the ST list of the Indian Constitution, STDCM urged the state government to finalise relevant process for forwarding the recommendation to the central government at the earliest.

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