International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples observed
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 10 2024: As observed across the globe, several bodies organised International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on Friday.

Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) observed the day on the theme of 'the status of indigenous Meetei/Meitei in India' in addition to the theme given by UN for the year 2024 at the Thangjing Hall of Manipur Press Club, here.

The observance was attended by Manipur Human Rights Commission former chairperson Khaidem Mani, STDCM working president retired Lt Col Laishram Lokendra, chief patron M Naodalenkhomba and advisor Prof H Jayantkumar as presidium members, while Manipur University Law department head Prof Yumnam Premananda and Federation of Haomee president Sapamcha Jadumani as resource persons.

Delivering key note address, STDCM general secretary K Bhogendrajit expressed regret that despite the UN's focus on protection of indigenous people of the world, the indigenous Meetei/Meitei is yet to avail constitutional protection and demanded inclusion in the ST list.

Meanwhile, Manipur University Department of Anthropology organised International Day of World Indigenous Peoples at the department hall with School of Human and Environmental Science former dean Prof W Nabakumar Singh as invited speaker.

He spoke on the theme 'Protecting the rights of indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact' during the observance.

Indigenous People's Forum Manipur president Ashang Kasar also attended the observance of International Day of World's Indigenous People organised by Arunachal Indigenous People's Forum (AIPF) at Multipurpose cultural complex Naharlagun auditorium hall located at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh.

During the observance, Ashang Kasar talked about the rights of indigenous people and exhorted indigenous communities to pray for ending the ethnic conflict in Manipur, which has been going on for more than 15 months now.

He stressed the need for indigenous groups to unite so as to end the strife in Manipur.

Meanwhile, Delhi Manipuri Society (DeMAS), Ningol United Progressive Initiative (NUPI) and Meitei Heritage Society jointly organised International Indigenous Day at India Habitat Centre, Delhi.

According to a release, the event brought together representatives from various indigenous Naga tribes and Meiteis of Manipur to commemorate their rich cultural heritage and discussed its preservation and advancement strategies.

It concluded with a call for support to the efforts of indigenous communities to protect and promote their heritage and request to both state and central governments to delete 'any Mizo tribe' and 'any Kuki tribe' from the Scheduled Tribe list of Manipur, implement NRC urgently and to amend Gazette notification which erroneously defined 'Indigenous Persons' of Manipur.

A citizen of the country is different from the indigenous people of Manipur.

Moreover, representatives of 25 Yelhoumee tribes of Manipur commemorated the bonds among the indigenous people on the occasion of 'International day of the World's Indigenous Peoples' held at Tanthapolis theatre, Lamphel.

Representatives from various 'Yelhoumee' tribes shared insights into the shared history and rich cultural heritage of the 25 indigenous tribes of Manipur.

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