Govt nod sought to delist Chin-Kuki from ST list
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 08 2024:
Following submission of a memorandum to Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda on December 12 last by Republican Party of India (Athawale) national general secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam to delist illegal Chin-Kuki immigrants from the Scheduled Tribe List of the Constitution of India, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (C&LM Division) has sought recommendation from the state government on the matter.
A letter from the ministry addressed to the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department additional Chief secretary, Manipur was sent on December 26, 2023 .
The letter signed by under-secretary Ashish Kumar Agrawal, while enclosing a copy of the representation by Maheshwar, said that the Scheduled Tribes notified under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution had on 15.6.1999 (and further revised on 25.6.2022 and 14.09.2022) approved modalities for determining claims for inclusion in and other modifications in lists of STs.
As per these modalities, only proposals recommended and justified by the state government concerned and agreed to by RGI as well as NCST are considered for amendment of legislation.
All the actions are taken as per approved modalities.
The recommendation of the state government is pre-requisite to process the case further, the letter mentioned.
Addressing media persons in this regard at its Keishampat Aheibam Leirak office, here, on Monday, RPI (Athawale) national secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam welcomed the response received from the Ministry of tribal Affairs (C&LM Division) in connection with the memorandum submitted for delisting the illegal Chin Kuki immigrants from the Scheduled Tribe List of the Constitution of India, and the recommendation sought from the state government.
He said that the Kukis are using the ST status which they should be not be provided with in the first place as a shield arid playing the victim card.
Among the many sophisticated weapons used by the Kukis in targeting the Meeteis, the ST status is one which has the greatest impact Therefore, RPI will urge the state government to reply to the letter sent by the ministry.
The state government should also provide the actual facts and truth to the ministry and on that basis the ministry will take up its own course of action, he added.
Maheshwar, while also reacting to the FIR lodged against the meira paibi activists in connection with the present crisis, said that the action against the meira paibi women by the Kumbi police station is unwarranted.
The meira paibi have been staying awake throughout the night to save Manipur and the statements made are in conformity with the freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
The FIR lodged against the meira paibi members should be withdrawn or else it could create more unwanted incidents, he cautioned.
Maheshwar also stated that the two ministers among the 10 Kuki MLAs whoare trying to disintegrate Manipur can be removed under Article 164 of the Indian Constitution.
However, the state government is remaining silent and keeping the MLAs under its protective shield.
We need to come together and chase out the Kukis who are trying to disintegrate of Manipur despite enjoying the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India which they never should have been provided.
Maheshwar also appealed to the government to conduct trainings for the selected IRB candidates in the state itself.