Forward reports to Centre: WMC urges CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 20 2024: Expressing fear that the Meetei community would be reduced to become refugees in their own place of origin after losing both their land and political power to outsiders in the next 10-20 years, World Meetei Council (WMC), Manipur president Urikhimbam Kunjo has urged chief minister to forward the two reports sought by the central government with regard to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) demand of the community.

According to a statement issued by WMC Central Executive Committee, Kunjo highlighted the issue during the inaugural function of the 50th Junior Boys and Girls' Manipur State Kabaddi Championship organised by Kakching District Kabaddi Association under the aegis of Manipur State Kabaddi Association at Wabagai on Monday.

Kunjo continued that after Manipur merged with the Indian Union in 1951, the first Kuki IAS officer took on the responsibility of charting the roadmap for the then small Kuki population already settled in the state along with Kuki people who migrated from Myanmar to be included in the ST list, thereby becoming full-fledged citizens after their arrival in Manipur.

The IAS officer is now regarded as the godfather of the Kukis.

His "roadmap" led to the illegal occupation of areas under the state government, and causing the present-day chaos.

When the first Manipur Legislative Assembly was constituted in 1951, there was only one each Kuki and Paite MLA.

However, there are now ten Kuki MLAs who are openly challenging the Assembly and making separatist demands, while the chief minister is unable to take action against them for some reason.

All of these are due to the inclusion of all Kukis in the ST list and exclusion of Meetei from the list, he asserted.

Kunjo remarked that even now, the chief minister is yet to send the two reports sought by the centre since 2013 with regard to the ST demand of the Meerei community.

The MLAs of the ruling party/parties have also categorically stated that the ST demand is the only way to save the Meetei community.

The chief minister himself had assured in the Assembly of forwarding the reports, but no concrete action has been taken up till date, he lamented.

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