Demand raised for ST status before polls
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 04 2024:
A protest demonstration under the banner ST status for Meetei: The only way forward' was staged jointly by Lamlong Keithel Phambi Apunba Nupi Lup and World Meetei Council (WMC), Manipur Unit at Lamlong Keithel on Thursday.
During the protest, women vendors of Lamlong Keithel chanted slogans such as 'Delaying ST is denying ST'; 'All MLAs say yes to ST'; 'CM Biren playing politics only for his chair'; 'CM Biren should not'compromise future of Manipur for personal interest'; 'Before holding MP election, report recommending inclusion of Meetei in ST list should be sent first'; 'ST category is the only option against 2026 delimitation'; 'NRC, border fencing, ILP will not save Meeteis, only inclusion in ST list will protect us'; 'Survival of Meeteis cannot be exchanged for CM Biren's political survival'; 'Our future cannot be decided by other community' and 'No vote to MP candidate who does not support inclusion of Meeteis in ST'.
The agitation was led by Keithel Lup president RK Dhanabati, general secretary Ibemchoubi Wahengbam and WMC Manipur general secretary K Mohen and WMC Youth Front Manipur president A Sajan.