ATSUM, HAC oppose ST status to Meetei; WMC clarifies : 22nd apr23 ~ E-Pao! Headlines

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ATSUM, HAC oppose ST status to Meetei; WMC clarifies
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 21 2023: All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has categorically stated that it has no objection to Meetei/Meitei community pursuing the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status but will continue to oppose the demand since they have a genuine fear of affecting the existing ST communities.

Addressing a press meet at Adimjati Complex, Chingmeirong, here, on Friday, ATSUM general secretary SN Andria said that the ST demand by Meetei community, an advanced community in the state, is not only unreasonable but identifying them (Meetei) as ST will affect the existing tribal community.

While reiterating that ATSUM will continue to oppose the demand and will challenge the same through legal way, he urged the state government to maintain the cordial relationship between the hills and the valley.

Andria also advised the state government not to send its recommendation to the Centre while stating that there is huge difference in the land use system in the hills and the valley, as the hill districts are still following customary and traditional laws regarding land use policy.

The secretary also said that April 19 can be considered as a black day for tribal communities.

The tribal students' body then said that the state government must desist from recommending this demand "as it completely affects the rights and interests of the tribal people, and also as the demand has the potential of adversely affecting the unity and integrity of the people of the state".

ATSUM then appealed to the state government to uphold the emotional integrity of the state stating that "the integrity is bound to disintegrate once the demand for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in ST is granted".

The student body also acknowledged the prompt action of Hill Areas Committee (HAC) in taking into account the sentiments, rights and interest of the scheduled tribes with respect to the ST demand of Meetei community.

Meanwhile, Manipur Legislative Assembly Hill Areas Committee (HAC) has urged the Union and state governments to go for appeal against the order of the High Court of Manipur directing the state government to send recommendation for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe list of the Constitution of India, taking into account of the sentiments and interests/ rights of the STs of Manipur.

As per a statement issued by HAC chairman Dinganglung Gangemi, the Committee held a meeting on Thursday in connection with the issue and resolved that the government should appeal against the Court's order.

HAC is perturbed/aggrieved by the HC's order regarding the matter in spite of strong opposition from the STs of Manipur, it added.

It also mentioned that the HAC as a Constitutional Body of the hill areas of Manipur was neither made a party to the case nor consulted.

It also has never given any recommendation or consent.

Further, it is pertinent to mention that the Meitei/Meetei community of Manipur are already protected under Constitution of India and categorised as General, Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Scheduled Caste (SC), it further maintained.

On the other-hand, World Meetei Council (WMC) said that in its global meeting conducted on Friday via video conferencing the participants took note of the united stand taken by the leaders of Meetei fraternal brethren Tangkhul, Rongmei, Liangmai, Zeme, Mao, Poumai, Maram and Anal along with the Kuki-Chin brethren vis-a-vis the High Court of Manipur's directive.

In a release, WMC secretary general Yambem Arun Meetei conveyed that the Council appreciated their united stand to protect the interest of the people they represent.

WMC has also noted the pressure they have mounted on the government of Manipur.

However, WMC would like to place on record that the Constitutional protection given to the Meetei as "General, OBC and SC", as pointed out by them lacks the strength to withstand the dynamics of the onslaught of the immigrant communities in respect of the demographic and socio-political challenges, it said.

"The truth is, for the Meetei it is a question of survival.

The matter is crystal clear," it said.

* This news is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. E-Pao.net is not responsible for it's sanctity & originality.

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