Totomsana commits to ST status for Meetei
Source: Chronicle News Service
Thoubal, April 15 2024:
Moirangthem Totomsana, the independent candidate for Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, has assured of taking key role and put his best efforts to ensure the ST status to Meetei/Meitei if elected to the 18th Lok Sabha.
A team of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM), as part of its campaign to understand stand of the candidates contesting the Lok Sabha election regarding the demand for recognition of Meetei/Meitei as ST, met the independent candidate from Heirok at his residence on Monday.
During the interaction, Totomsana expressed that ST is the lone constitutional safeguard Meetei/Meitei could get to protect themselves from the shifting demographic.
At the same time, competing in the general category with the rest of the country, which are more advances, does not provide a level playing held.
Considering these factors, the ST demand is legitimate and crucial for the community, he said.
The candidate also pledged to take up necessary steps to ensure granting of ST status to the community within five days if he got elected.
STDCM president Dhiraj Yumnam and general secretary K Bhogendrajit led the team in carrying out the campaign.