WMC shares thoughts with PM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 12 2023: The World Meetei Council (WMC) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the uncertainties being faced by Meeteis due to globalization and 'influx' of migrants.

In the letter, the WMC also sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to discuss the matter.

Stating that factors associated with globalization such as coming of railways, development of Asian Highway and 'influx' of migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar cause a fundamental change in the demography of Manipur, the WMC claimed that the fate of Meeteis now hangs in the balance.

The Council nonetheless acknowledged the developments seen in North East India under the leadership of the Prime Minister.

Claiming that aborigine Meeteis are restricted by the law of the land to live in only 10 per cent of Manipur land since they are not included in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of the Constitution, the Council asked "Are there any other States in India where the aborigines are not allowed to live as rightful citizens in their own States except Manipur ?" .

The WMC went on to state that 95 per cent of the economy of Imphal Bazar which controls Manipur belongs to the business community.

Stating that the Meetei economy is a tribal or maybe subsistence economy based on nature and natural resources, the Council claimed that people in power exploit the funds given by the Centre and "this is the reality" .

"When every National leader comes to Manipur they visit the Shri Shri Govindaji Temple, however, in the absence of the Constitutional protection given to the aborigines, the Meeteis who are Krishna devotees shall surely perish in a generation's time because they are not conversant with the modern way of life since their tribal values of life mostly focuses on festivals happening throughout the year," WMC added.

The Council continued that they tried to meet the Union Home Minister in December 2021, but couldn't make it.

Recalling that WMC met with one of the top leaders of Sangh Parivar Alok Kumar, the Council claimed that Alok Kumar acknowledged the unenviable position of Meeteis.

Maintaining that the problems being faced by Meeteis is a question of "our survival,' the Council said that enlisting Meeteis in the ST list is the only way to protect the ethnic group.

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