Threat forces STDCM to cancel public convention
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 06 2024: Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has cancelled the one-day public convention following threats by some unidentified persons, minutes before the event began on Sunday at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen.

The public convention was planned on Sunday to deliberate on the topic 'Manipur government's inaction on the demand for inclusion of indigenous Meitei/Meetei in the ST List of India'.

Earlier on Sunday, an emergency meeting was held at 9 am.

The announcement came when all the presidium members were seated on the dais around 12 noon.

Making the announcement, Coordinating Body on STDCM convenor Waikhom Anand highlighted the efforts made by the committee to secure ST status for the community since 2012.The committee made preparations for the convention since Saturday night.

At about 12.30 am, some unidentified persons showed up at the house of STDCM general secretary Bhogendrajit at Khurai Salanthong Lairikyengbam Leikai.

They banged and pelted stones on the gate before leaving.

On Sunday around 8 am, some unknown persons called him on the phone and instructed him not to hold the public convention under any circumstances.

The matter was discussed in an emergency meeting and resolved to postpone the convention indefinitely, elaborated the convenor.

Waikhom Anand expressed that as many people from different parts of the state had conveyed and confirmed participation in the convention, they might not want to cancel the event, and some may even criticise STDCM.

However, he said on behalf of the STDCM, appealed to the public to understand the situation and support the committee while adding that the committee will continue to pursue the demand.

Later, those who came to attend the convention, raised slogans demanding the state government to send the requisite recommendation for granting ST status to the Meetei/ Meitei to the Centre at the earliest.

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