STDCM convenes public convention on Oct 6
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 26 2024: Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) has convened a public convention at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound on October 6 in relation with demand for Scheduled Tribe status to the indigenous Meetei/Meitei community.

Briefing the media at Manipur Press Club, here, on Thursday, STDCM Youth Wing convenor Nameirakpam Edison opined that people of indigenous Meetei/Meitei community are in consensus over the ST demand.

He pointed out how the Kuki community seized the opportunity of the solidarity march organised by ATSUM to strike against Meetei community, burned down their houses and chased them out from Kuki dominated areas of the state on May 3 last year.

Since then, thousands of indigenous Meetei families are staying in relief camps.

Considering the present situation, STDCM suspended its movement for ST demand as controlling the crisis and rehabilitation of the displaced people became the priority.

Unfortunately, the Central and state governments have failed to contain the violence even after 16 months, a failure which should be condemned by the public in the strongest terms, he said.

Nevertheless, the crisis should not be the reason for suppress -ing the legitimate demand of granting ST status, which is of prime importance linked with the survival of indigenous Meetei community.

Solution to the crisis should not be a major hurdle if the Central and state governments act sincerely.

Irrespective of the current crisis, the government should not set aside the demand for ST status as it should be part of the solution to the crisis, he said, while demanding the state government to prepare the relevant documents and submit the same to the Centre for realising the decades-old demand.

Given the current crisis, the necessity for a constitutional safeguard through ST status has become more relevant.

Several organisations are raising the same voice for granting ST status to the community.

However, the demand for ST status should not be compromised with any other issues or demands, the convenor contended.

He further informed that the public convention on October 6 will include discussion on the demand and future course of action to pursue the same.

He urged clubs, CSOs, Meira Paibi Lups, student bodies and others to attend the convention and share their inputs.

One may also send suggestions through WhatsApp or email as not everybody may get the chance to share their opinions at the public convention due to time constraint, Edison conveyed.

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