Protest for ST inclusion continues
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 28 2022:
A sit-in protest was jointly staged by Ipathoukok and Naoremthong Meira Paibi in support of the movement being spearheaded by Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list as a form of constitutional safeguard, at Ipathoukok Shanglen, here, on Wednesday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the sit-in, one of the protestors justified STDCM's movement and assured to extend full support to the same, adding that it is an unequivocal demand for protecting Manipur's identity.
The demand is not for mere inclusion in the ST list but for renewal of previous rights and as such, the hill brethren should not misinterpret the same.
ST means those born and raised in a place, and do not have any historical origin outside that place, the protestor reasoned and demanded the government to forward the required recommendation to the centre at the earliest.
During the sit-in, the protestors shouted slogans and also held placards and banners inscribed with slogans like 'Include Meetei/ Meitei in ST List', 'Save indigenous Meetei-Meitei community', and 'Forward recommendation for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in ST List' .