WMC points to existential crisis of Meiteis
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 08 2024: The Meitei/Meetei community may not get the Constitutional protection it is seeking as the State Government is still refusing the send the needed report, said the World Meetei Council as it continued to demand Scheduled Tribe status for the community.

When Chief Minister N Biren Singh was urged to send the specific recommendation and the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, he allegedly termed the demand as "making enemies on all fronts" .

As such, under the present regime, Meiteis/Meeteis may not get the Constitutional protection sought, said WMC in a statement today.

While the Government is yet to send the recommendations and the reports sought in 2013 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Meiteis/Meeteis are in urgent need for protection.

By asking for ST status, the Meiteis/Meeteis are not seeking Government benefits and perks.

It is simply demanding the rightful status for its survival.

The survival and interests of the indigenous Meiteis/Meeteis depend on it, said WMC.

It asserted that the Meitei/Meetei community's identity may perish with this generation if it is not given the ST status before 2026 delimitation.

There is no other way for the Meitei/Meetei community to survive and protect its identity and interests other than giving it ST status.

Therefore, the Chief Minister shouldn't waste anymore time and send the recommendation and the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report to the Central Ministry of Tribal Affairs, said WMC.

The Chief Minister shouldn't avoid the key issue and keep on misleading the people by mentioning NRC, boundary fencing and ILPS on television and radio.

NRC, boundary fencing and ILPS are not at all related to the survival of the Meitei/Meetei community.

Giving it the ST tag is the only way to save the community, said WMC.

"At Jiribam, we have been stopped from practising Saroi Khaangba ritual.

Lai Haraoba and Umang Lai Latpa may soon face restrictions.

There is still time to save the community," said WMC, urging the Chief Minister to act on its demand.

WMC said it continued its campaign for ST status at Wangoo Laipham Chithek Leikai today.

The campaign was supported by Wangoo Apunba Meira Paibi.

WMC Manipur Unit president Urikkhimbam Kunjo Singh, executive member Ahongshangbam Dhiren and Thoudam Dharmendra were present.

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