STDCM decries bid to 'derail' ST campaign
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 10 2022: The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has asserted that the negative comment made by an individual on the people's movement for granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) tag to Meitei/Meetei during a talk show of a local TV channel was rather unfortunate .

Speaking to media persons at Ima Khunthokhanbi Sanglen, Thangmeiband today, STDCM general secretary Keithellakpam Bhogendrajit said that the committee resumed its movement to enlist the Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of the Indian Constitution by reaching out to people of different localities on August 26 last.

He said that the particular panellist, however, depicted the movement of STDCM in a bad light by making contradictory statements.

STDCM decries bid to 'derail' ST campaign

The STDCM never thought that the panellist who used to hold a respectable position in the past would utter such a senseless and contradictory statement which could confuse the people.

Saying that people have the right to stage democratic protests to highlight their grievances as India is a democratic Nation, Bhogen-drajit appealed to all con- cerned not to give conflicting statements about their movement which is only aimed at safeguarding the ethnic group which is becoming more like a minority in its own land.

The panellist even claimed that the STDCM hadn't submitted any memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list, but his statement was false and unfounded, he added.

He clarified that the STDCM has been submitting memorandums to Chief Ministers since 2013 to grant ST tag to Meetei/Meitei and another representation was submitted on December 30 last year before the enforcement of model code of conduct for State Assembly election.

Bhogendrajit also said that the STDCM also submitted a representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Manipur through the Chief Secretary and a copy of the same was also sent to the Chief Minister.

As a courtesy call, the STDCM sought an appointment with the Chief Minister on April 7 last too, he said and added that the volunteers of the committee interacted with N Biren Singh on June 9, 2022 with the help of MLA Lourembam Rameshwar Meetei.

Claiming that the panellist seems to have little or no knowledge of the matter as he claimed that non-availability of ethnographic and socioeconomic survey reports was hindering the process of incorporating Meetei/Meitei in the ST list, Bhogendrajit reasoned that the reports must be prepared by the Government.

The responsibility of the Government is to prepare the report and send the recommendation to the Centre, he said.

The particular panellist's accusation of misappropriating funds by the STDCM was false and unfounded, Bhogendrajit said.

It is true STDCM takes donations from the people to hold rallies or other forms of protest demonstration while many approached the committee and extended their support to the movement directly, he said and added that there, however, were no instances of fund misappropriation.

"Those who doubt about our fund management can come to our office directly and see the details," he said.

He further stated that the STDCM received many suggestions to take the matter of enlisting Meetei/Meitei to ST list to Court, but the time is not right for that.

Saying that the STDCM doesn't want to argue over the comments given by the panellist, Bhogendrajit said that the demand of STDCM is only to grant ST tag to the Meetei/Meitei.