WMC ridicules CM's stand on ST demand
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 10 2024: World Meetei Council (WMC) has denounced chief minister N Biren's observation that the demand for granting recognition to Meetei/Meitei as one of the scheduled tribes has the potential for disintegration of Manipur.

In a release, WMC Central Executive Committee secretary general Yambem Arun Meetei pointed out that Meitei/Meetei community has been demanding inclusion in the ST list since 2012, which the then Congress government led by CM 0 Ibobi suppressed for four years.

Similarly, chief minister N Biren of the present BJP government is of the view that Manipur is on the verge of disintegration due to the Meeteis' demand for inclusion in the ST list rather than doing the needful for sending relevant report to the centre as had been recommended by the ministry concerned, lamented that secretary.

He also described as condemnable, BJP's MP candidate, who is also a cabinet minister, sharing the same view and tone as the chief minister in an interview on a local TV channel.

CM N Biren and BJP leaders should acknowledge that the demand for inclusion of Meetei in the ST list is for securing constitutional safeguard and the future of Meetei, Arun asserted, while adding that the said demand is the only way to protect the identity of Meetei.

Can the survival of Meetei be blackmailed on the ground of disintegration of Manipur, he questioned, while urging the CM not to act and work as a leader of Meetei but for the state.

He should have the will to speak the truth and facts to every community or else step down from the post of CM, the secretary general suggested.

Arun further informed that in continuation of the Council's movement, a protest was organised demanding inclusion of Meetei in the ST list at Waikhong Meira Shang, Kakching district on Wednesday.

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