Pro-ST rallies staged all over
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 03 2023: Meetei communities residing in Assam and Nagaland took out rallies in their respective States today demanding the Manipur Government to act on the directive of Manipur High Court to consider the inclusion of Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribes list and to send a recommendation to the Union Government.

According to a report received by the World Meetei Council, in Nagaland the solidarity rallies were staged at Dimapur and Chumoukedima and organised by the Dimapur Meetei Council and World Meetei Council, Nagaland State Unit.

Speaking in this connection, Maibam Sanjit, president, Dimapur Meetei Council stated that the community is simply appealing for their right to be included in the ST list.

He urged the Manipur Government to honour the Manipur High Court's judgement and recommend ST status for Meetei community to the Union Government.

Sarat Thangjam, assistant secretary general, Central Executive Committee, WMC, Nagaland State Unit called it unfortunate that the State Government has still not acted on the ten-year old ST demand of the Meetei community.

He also pointed out the two themes of the solidarity rally, namely, "Our survival issue is not equal to others' privilege" and "Peace in Manipur should not be at the cost of our survival".

He elaborated that ST status for the Meetei community is for the survival of the community and not for the community to accumulate wealth or to pursue better jobs.

At Assam, a solidarity rally was staged at Lamargram, Kazidahar, Cachar organised by World Meetei Council in association with Lamargram Group & Meira Paibi Lup today.

The rally goers wielded a banner with the message "ST status of Assam's Meetei is delayed due to delay of Manipur Government's recommendation".

Similarly, WMC in association with KAMCA and Meira Paibi Lup organised a rally at Amrajan, Bokojan, Karbi Anglong today.

Another rally was taken out at Manja Karbi Anglong, Diphu wherein the rally goers held a banner with the message "Honour Manipur High Court's judgement" and raised resounding slogans of 'No ST no rest' .

The WMC statement further said that the Meetei communities based outside the State are a marginalized and downtrodden group.

It added that Assamese Meeteis have been calling for the inclusion of Meeteis in the ST list in Assam for many years.

In this regard, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had previously assured to fulfil their demand once the Meetei community is recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in Manipur.

As such, Assamese Meeteis have raised an outcry voicing this demand, the statement said.

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