STDCM raises demand for Meeteis/Meiteis, again
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 20 2022: Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) has yet again urged the State Government to take up prompt measures to enlist Meeteis/Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list of the Indian Constitution "so as to strengthen the ethnic group which has almost been reduced to a minority on its own land" .

Notably, the STDCM has been appealing to the State Government to send the ethnographic and socioeconomic report of the Meetei community to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs so as to grant ST tag to the ethnic group.

In a statement issued today, the STDCM said that they have been demanding both the State and Central Government to include the Meeteis/Meiteis in the ST list since the last few years.

Claiming that the Meeteis/Meiteis have been settling like refugees in its own land without any Constitutional safeguard and such a phenomenon could lead to disappearance of the ethnic group, STDCM contended that the Centre had been seeking the recommendation from the StateMinistry of Tribal Affairs so as to grant ST tag to the ethnic group.

In a statement issued today, the STDCM said that they have been demanding both the State and Central Government to include the Meeteis/Meiteis in the ST list since the last few years.

Claiming that the Meeteis/Meiteis have been settling like refugees in its own land without any Constitutional safeguard and such a phenomenon could lead to disappearance of the ethnic group, STDCM contended that the Centre had been seeking the recommendation from the State Government to consider inclusion of Meeteis/Meiteis in the ST list since May 29, 2013 .

Asking why the State Government is hesitating to send the recommendation sought by the Centre till today, the statement said that the STDCM has been asking the State Government to do the needful to give some sort of Constitutional protection all these years but "all their demands seem to have fallen on deaf ear" .

STDCM further said, that a large number of people now support its movement to include Meeteis/Meiteis in the ST list.

While conveying gratitude to all its supporters, STDC claimed that even Chief Minister N Biren acknowledged their demand and thanked the latter for the same.

Stating that the movement of STDCM was suspended on some occasions due Covid pand demic and Assembly elections, STDCM said that they have been demanding the State Govemment to send the report after the of Assembly election 2022 was announced.

The committee also said t at they have been reaching out to local clubs, meira paibi lups and other organisation to intensify the demand for inclusion of Meeiteis/Meiteis ST list.

The STDCM then urged the State understand the sentiment of the people anti measures to save the ethnic group.

Comment