Singjamei Keithel raises ST demand
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 12 2023:
Carrying on their sustained movement for enlistment of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe category, the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) joined hands with the women vendors of Singjamei Keithel and staged a protest demonstration at the market.
The protesters raised many slogans urging the State Government to send the necessary recommendations to the Central Government for granting ST status to the Meitei community.
The women vendors also took out a protest rally around Singjamei Keithel.
One Ningombam Ibetombi who took part in the protest demonstration said that the Meitei/Meetei needs a Constitutional safeguard in order to protect themselves.
She maintained that the Meitei community should be given recognition as an indigenous community of Manipur by way of enlisting them in the ST category under the Constitution of India.
Ibetombi said that they are compelled to join the ST movement for the sake of future generations.
If the State Government still opts to remain indifferent to the issue, the womenfolk would be constrained to launch different modes of agitation including bandhs, she said.
She then urged the State Government to send the necessary recommendation to the Central Government in the interest of future generations.