MMTU sticks to Scheduled Tribes demand
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 07 2024:
Disclosing that independents and candidates of political parties other than the BJP have submitted/forwarded consent letter in support of the demand for inclusion of Meeteis/Meiteis in the ST list of the Indian Constitution, Meetei/Meitei Tribe Union (MMTU) has appealed to the public to teach a befitting lesson to political parties and candidates, which/who are averse to demand for ST in all elections.
Addressing media persons at its Wangkhei Khunou office on Sunday, MMTU secretary (administration) Mutum Churamani said that various pressure groups have been agitating for the last 12 years demanding inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list with MMTU even filing a Writ Petition in the High Court of Manipur resulting in a decree that the government of Manipur send recommendation to the union government on the said matter which the former is reluctant in-spite of giving assurance.
He also informed that MMTU launched Mass Missed Call campaign from November 20 last year generating support of over 9 lakh people.
However, the state government undermined the general sentiment as could be comprehended from defying the court's directive.
Churamani further informed that MMTU had earlier adopted a resolution not to take part in any election process until the state government sends recommendation to the centre, along with launching "No ST, No Vote" campaign, wrote to independent candidates and political parties fielding candidates for the Lok Sabha election, he said, claiming that candidates of both Outer and Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituencies have submitted consent letters in support of the demand for inclusion of Meeteis/Meiteis in the ST list of the Indian Constitution.
Among the candidates, five signed and submitted consent letters including Maheshwar Thounaojam of RPI (Athawale), independent candidates (Inner) RK Somendro (Kaiku), Moirangthem Totomshana and Dr Alison Abonmai (outer).
In addition, political parties including All India Forward Bloc, Communist party of India, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), Shiv Sena Manipur Pradesh, and Indian National Congress sent their consent letters signed by state presidents and secretaries.
However, BJP is yet to submit the consent letter till date, Churamani stated.
He further informed that the union will stick to its decision not to take part in all election process until the state government sends recommendation for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list to the centre.