Open Letter to Hon'ble CM of Manipur
- 24th June, 2024 : World Meetei Council -

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To
The Hon'ble Shri N. Biren Singh,
Chief Minister, Manipur

Hon'ble Sir,

With due respect, may I say that the WMC had a two-day meeting and resolved to submit to you the following:

1. The delimitation of the Assembly and Parliamentary seats of all the states and Union Territories is scheduled to take place in 2026.

2. The present Manipur Assembly has 40 seats in the valley and 20 seats in the hills, based on the 1971 census report.

3. According to the 1971 census, 69 percent of Manipur's population resided in the valley, while the remaining 31 percent lived in the hills.

4. Though the census does not provide community-wise population figures, various indices suggest that the Meetei population comprised approximately 60 percent of the total population of Manipur in the 1971 census report.

5. The census is conducted every ten years, but there was no census in 2021 due to COVID-19.

6. According to the 2011 census, the Meetei population consisted of approximately 44 percent, indicating a sharp decline from the 1971 census.

7. Reasons for the decline include:

(i) A low birth rate among the Meetei
(ii) Unchecked heavy influx of migrants, especially from Myanmar and Bangladesh

8. The Meetei community adhered to the National Population Policy of "SMALL FAMILY, HAPPY FAMILY."

9. The paradox is that delimitation is set to penalize those who dutifully followed the National Policy and reward those who have not.

10. The 2026 delimitation is poised to victimize the Meetei for being lawful and obedient citizens, posing a threat to our identity.

11. However, there is only one way to protect our identity: enlisting in the ST list of the Indian constitution.

12. Regarding the current violence perpetrated by Chin-Kuki terrorists, let us understand that the Hon'ble PM Modiji can stop the Chin-Kuki perpetrators anytime if he wishes, but for reasons unknown to us, the Hon'ble PM has chosen not to. This is a great injustice. This issue should not be an excuse or a pretext for not sending the two reports because this is a question of survival for the Meetei identity.

Therefore, WMC requests the Hon'ble CM to send the two reports so that the process of inclusion of Meetei in the ST list may be initiated. We have only one and a half years before the juggernaut of DELIMITATION 2026 decimates the Meetei identity.

Hence, on behalf of the hapless Meetei, WMC earnestly urges the Hon'ble Shri Biren Singh to kindly send the two reports. We truly believe you fully understand the precarious condition of the Meetei population, and therefore we believe you will send the reports without any delay.

WMC may remind you that we have very little time and, in case the reports are not sent in a month or so, our children shall have no future.

Finally, WMC requests you earnestly to send the reports by August 2024, or else we will miss the impending deadline. It is of great concern that, if the Hon'ble Shri N. Biren Singh cannot send it, then the people will be left with no other option but to request all the legislators of Manipur to elect someone who can do it to save our future.

Heigrujam Nabashyam
Chairman
World Meetei Council