STDCM takes demand to Works Minister Govindas, Thangmeiband AC MLA
Kh Joykisan MLA suggests opinion poll; Govindas backs ST demand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 06 2022: Thangmeiband AC MLA Khumukcham Joykisan has suggested an opinion poll on the demand for enlistment of Meitei/Meitei in the ST category.

Both Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam and K Joykisan have asserted that the demand for putting Meitei/Meetei in ST group is quite legitimate and the movement towards this end is based on solid grounds.

The issue can be resolved once and for all if how many percent of the Meitei population are in favour of the demand and how many are against it is ascertained, Joykisan asserted.

Continuing with their ongoing campaign of meeting the legislators of the State one after another, the STDCM talked about their demand with MLA Joykisan and submitted a memorandum today.

STDCM takes demand to Works Minister Govindas, Thangmeiband AC MLA

Joykisan told the visiting STDCM team that he had already made his position very clear on the issue of enlisting Meitei/Meetei in the ST category when he raised the issue in the State Assembly.

What transpired in the House was well documented and it would become history, he said.

Maintaining that the STDCM's demand and movement are quite legitimate, Joykisan underscored the need to garner support of the maximum number of Ministers and MLAs.

He remarked that movements which are waged on and off seldom achieve their objectives.

Suggesting a house to house survey or an opinion poll, the Thangmeiband MLA said that the Government would always support any legitimate demand clamoured by the majority of the people.

A house to house survey is necessary to show the whole world that the majority of the Meitei population are in favour of joining the ST category, he said.

He assured the STDCM team that he would raise the matter before the Chief Minister.

The STDCM team who visited MLA Joykisan included its working president L Lokendra, vice president S Manglem, general secretary K Bhogendrajit, women wing convenor RK Tharaksana and youth wing convenor N Edison.

Another team of STDCM led by its president Dhiraj Yumnam, advisor Prof H Jayantkumar, finance secretary Kh Kunder and convenor L Romesh visited Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam at his Ningthoukhong residence and submitted a copy of the same memorandum.

Govindas said that STDCM's demand is basically about securing the rights of Meiteis and it has no intention to rob the rights of others.

As there were 'hill tribe' and 'plain tribe', the demand for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST list is a rightful one and every one ought to support it, he said.

He said that granting ST status to the Meitei community would not impinge upon the interest or shares of hill people.

The Chief Minister is committed to uniform development and the idea of oneness among all the communities of the State, he said.

The Chief Minister has also taken serious note of the demand as it does not infringe upon the rights and shares of any other community, the Works Minister added.