WMC resumes campaign on ST demand
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 15 2024: The campaign for granting Scheduled Caste (ST) status to the Meetei community launched by World Meetei Council (WMC) but put on hold due to occurrence of natural disasters in the state, resumed from Sunday with a torch rally of Meira Paibis in Kakching district's Langmeidong area.

In a statement, WMC highlighted that as the Meeteis will have no future if not included in the ST list of the Indian Constitution before commencement of the delimitation exercise in 2026, they have been urging the chief minister to submit the two requisite reports to the relevant authorities and calling on the public to extend support.

While implementation of ILPS in the state to regulate entry of outsiders is a positive initiative, including Meeteis in the ST list would be a significant gift to 'Lamjing Meira' Robinhood, a student who laid down his life during a people's movement for re-introducing the ILP system in the state.

Commending demands being raised from various quarters and assurances given by the government authorities for implementing NRC in the state, the Council, however, opined that as NRC is an exhaustive exercise effectiveness of the same might not see the light of the day in Manipur as could be comprehended from the Assam experience.

Although NRC could benefit Manipur, it may not effectively protect the Meeteis.

Therefore, the only way to ensure the security of the Meeteis is through their inclusion in the ST list, argued the Council, adding that Meeteis should be granted the ST status before the 2026 delimitation process, as their exclusion could lead to gradual decline and eventual decimation of the community.

The Meeteis' demand for inclusion in the ST list not about seeking opportunities, but ensuring their existence.

The Nagas have enjoyed constitutional safeguards through their inclusion in the ST list since 1951, while the Chin-Kuki community, which is not even eligible for ST recognition, is receiving the benefit, WMC pointed out.

Once considered as a dominant ethnic group with two-third of the state's total population as exclaimed by former Manipur Governor Ved Marwah, now the Meeteis have been reduced to 44 percent of the total population, the Council cautioned.

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