WMC sustains movement for ST status
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kakching, April 08 2024: In an avid demonstration held at Wangoo Laipham Chithek Leikai in Kakching district on Monday, the World Meetei Council (WMC) spearheaded a campaign demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meetei/Meitei community.

Organised in collaboration with Wangoo Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, the campaign had the participation of members of the Meetei community.

WMC Manipur unit president Urikkhinbam Kunjo, along with executive member Ahongshangbam Dhiren, and member Thoudam Dharmendra from Wangoo, led the campaign for constitutional safeguard of the Meetei/Meitei community.

In a statement, WMC Manipur criticised the government led by Chief Minister N Biren for purportedly failing to submit recommendations to the Centre for granting ST status to the Meetei community.

WMC accused the CM of deflecting the issue by suggesting that it would incite enmity against Meetei people on various fronts.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, WMC emphasised that the absence of ST status before the 2026 delimitation exercise could jeopardise the fate of the Meetei community.

The organisation urged CM Biren to expedite the recommendation process without further delay.

Asserting that the demand for ST status was essential for the community's survival rather than merely seeking benefits, WMC cautioned the public against falling for hollow promises such as NRC, border fencing, and ILPS, asserting that these measures would not adequately safeguard the survival of the Meetei community.

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