WMC points finger at CM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 10 2024:
The World Meetei Council (WMC) has accused Chief Minister N Biren Singh of portraying Meetei/Meitei demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status as a threat to the State's integrity.
As per a statement of WMC, Chief Minister had said that Manipur is on the brink of breaking apart due to the ST status demand by Meetei Meitei.
The negative portrayal of Meetei/Meitei seeking Constitutional safeguard by the Chief Minister himself instead of sending the recommendation to the Centre was very unfortunate for the entire people of Mani-pur, the Council said and claimed that the BJP candidate of the Lok Sabha election in Inner Manipur Parliamentary seat also endorses the take of the Chief Minister on the ST issue.
The WMC, while expressing anguish over the failure to send the recommendations by the successive State Governments, asked whether the survival of Meetei/Meitei can be blackmailed fearing disintegration of Manipur.
The Chief Minister and BJP leaders must understand that Meeteis/Meiteis were compelled to demand ST status to protect their identity and safeguard their future, the Council said and added that enlistment of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of the Constitution is the only means available to safeguard the ethnic group from all the issues which threaten their survival.
The Council went on to ask why the Chief Minister portrayed the popular demand of Meetei/Meitei as a threat to the State.
Asking the Chief Minister to refrain from being a leader of Meetei only, the WMC continued that it would be better for the Chief Minister to step down if he can't convince every community of Manipur on the issue.
Meanwhile, the WMC staged its demonstration demanding inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei in the ST list at Waikhong today.