Remove immigrants from ST list: ML
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 26 2023:
Meitei Leepun convened a public meeting on "Immediate need for exclusion of illegal immigrant Kukis from Scheduled Tribe list" at Bashikhong Meira Ground in Imphal East, today.
At the meeting, Meitei Leepun leader Waheng-bam Chinglemba said that the Meeteis don't get any reservation while applying for the civil services examination and whoever cleared the examination are purely on merit.
Claiming that illegal immigrant Kukis who came from Myanmar and Bangladesh, on the other hand, get the benefit of ST, he alleged that many of these illegal immigrants have become bureaucrats.
Saying that giving Indian citizenship to illegal immigrants not only rob the rights of the indigenes but also threaten the future of them (the indigenous people), Chinglemba maintained that a collective effort is needed to secure the future of the indigenous people.
There are about 50 million nomadic tribes who move from places to places in search of their settlement in South East Asia, he claimed and alleged that many of them have intruded into North East States including Manipur and started a movement to establish their homeland.
Saying that many of the Meeteis don't know or revisit the provisions of the Merger Agreement, Chinglemba maintained that one of the key conditions of the Merger Agreement is protection of the territory of Manipur.
He also said that the boundary of Manipur cannot be changed without taking due approval (vote) from the Manipur Legislative Assembly and the Parliament according to the Merger Agreement.
Stating that the future of Meetei has become uncertain due to the ongoing violence, he appealed to one and all to protect the legacy of Meeteis.
The meeting was held in association with NYTHC Okram Chuthek, CRCL Ningomthong, Meira Club Bashikhong, Mangal Bashikhong Mamang Leikai, BPYC Bashikhong Panthoibi Club and Meira Paibis of five localities.