MMTU hails House debate on ST demand issue
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 20 2024: Expressing happiness over discussion in the Parliament on the demand for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in ST list of the Indian Constitution, the Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MMTU) reminded state government to send recommendation to Centre and work as per the sentiment of the people.

The discussion on Thursday was a part of the 13 years long demand of the people, who have been launching democratic agitations for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in ST list as per Article 342(1) of Indian Constitution, MMTU said in a statement and thanked both MP Bimol Akoijam for raising the issue and Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey for responding.

According to MMTU, MP Bimol queried about steps taken to include Meetei/Meitei community settling in Manipur, Assam and Tripura in the ST list.

In his reply, minister Durgadas said inclusion of a community under ST list has to be decided by Registrar General of India and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) after due recommendation from the state/UT authorities concerned.

The matter discussed in the Parliament indeed was a question of security, land, socio-economy and rights entitled for the indigenous Meeteis settling not only in Manipur but also in other states of the country.

However, there is no sign of interest or concern on part of the government of India towards the Meetei community particularly from the geo-politics aspect and the state government too remains effortless to provide constitutional safeguard for the community, the MMTU said.

While reminding the state government that democratic agitations for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in ST list have been continuing since 2013, the MMTU urged Manipur government to send recommendation to the Centre at the earliest.

Comment