WMC reiterates ST demand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 28 2026: The World Meetei Council (WMC) has urged the Government of India to include the Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list, stating that the railway reaching Imphal would bring significant changes to Manipur's demographic and socio-economic landscape.

In a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by its chairman Heigrujam Nabashyam, WMC said the reported arrival of the train in Imphal in June 2029 is a historic development that would open new avenues for trade, employment, tourism and connectivity with the rest of the country.

However, the Council said the increased connectivity would also facilitate the movement of people, goods, capital and businesses into the State, making it necessary to establish institutional and Constitutional mechanisms to safeguard the interests of the indigenous population.

The WMC said the Meetei people, whose population in India is estimated at less than 18 lakhs, require Constitutional safeguards to protect their indigenous identity and demographic interests amid rapidly changing circumstances.

It drew the attention of all stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, legislators, civil society organisations and academics, to the issue of Constitutional protection for the Meetei people.

The Council maintained that the Meetei people should be accorded the safeguards available under the Scheduled Tribe framework to protect their indigenous identity and demographic interests amid rapidly changing circumstances.

"Development and connectivity must go hand in hand with protection of indigenous identity and interests," the WMC said, adding that the railway link should not become a catalyst for the marginalisation of the indigenous population.

The Council appealed to the Government of India to urgently examine the demand for Constitutional protection and take necessary steps towards inclusion of the Meetei people in the ST list.

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