MTU to intensify campaign for ST status
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 10 2024:
While announcing that it will launch campaign both in the state and outside for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list under Article 342 (1) of the Indian Constitution, Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MTU) has said that a resolution for launching mass public protest movement will be adopted in addition to the campaign.
In a release, MTU administration secretary Mutum Churamani said that the decision for launching mass campaign has been taken with the sole objective of ensuring constitutional safeguard of the Meetei community and will not relent till achieving the target.
The demand for inclusion in the ST list is for protection and safeguard of land and political rights of the Meetei, he made it clear.
Recalling that around 8,86,480 Meeteis joined the mass missed call campaign for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list to lend support, he continued that the campaign will continue with discussion with bureaucrat officers, employees, legal experts, intellectuals, laymen and CSOs.
Other communities who are also demanding inclusion in the ST list will be communicated with for a joint effort as well, he added.
Churamani then urged the government to take up necessary initiatives for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list without waiting for the public to launch intense protests.
While pointing out that Meeteis have not been included in the ST list despite being one of the indigenous communities of Manipur while those with doubtful antecedents are granted recognition as ST, he appealed to all the indigenous communities to collectively fight against illegal immigrants who are creating problem in the state.