MMTU clarifies over viral post of its memorandum page
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 10 2024: Expressing dismay over a social media post containing the first page of a memorandum submitted by Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MMTU) to Union home minister Amit Shah that went viral on the social media, MMTU has clarified that the screenshot is just the first of the 7-page memorandum and it does not represent the whole truth of the representation.

In a statement, MMTU said that the memorandum was submitted to Union home minister Amit Shah during his state visit in last week of May last year.

Out of the seven pages, only the first was shared with the intention to mislead the whole issue of ST demand and the current situation in the state, MMTU stated.

In the social media post, the portion "Government of India under the British colonial regime recognised the Meetei (Meitei) community as a tribe of the Kuki-Chin group of the Tibeto-Burman family", and "The said Linguistic Survey identities Meitei as a tribe of the group of Kuki-Chin tribes at the Tibeto-Burman family and it gives a detailed analysis of the languages spoken by all Kuki-Chin tribes including Meitei tribe" were highlighted.

The union informed that the text were quoted from the British era Linguistic Survey of India Volume III.

Such references from different books and historical texts are often quoted by MMTU in furthering the demand for ST status.

In the other pages, MMTU counter these statements saying that Meetei and Kuki are different communities, with Meetei being indigenous to Manipur and speaking Manipuri language while Kuki entered Manipur from outside, the Union explained.

It further informed that the remaining pages of the memorandum are available at the Union's office and anybody can visit the office anytime to get the details of the memorandum.

Expressing concern over the confusion created by the viral post, MMTU urged all concerned to refrain from making such irresponsible acts in future.

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